Volleyball Updated Districts-2024
Written Sunday October 27th at 11:10 AM
These are the updated volleyball districts.
This article will be updated often with the most updated information
District 23 @ Farmington Hills Mercy
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs FARMINGTON
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH/FARMINGTON vs Farmington Hills Mercy
OAK PARK vs Detroit Mumford
OAK PARK/Detroit Mumford vs Detroit Renaissance
FAVORITE: Farmington Hills Mercy
NEXT: Detroit Renaissance
DARKHORSE: Farmington
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is not a very strong district on paper. Farmington Hills Mercy has a ton of proven talent and is well coached under Loretta Vogel. The Marlins always have found a way to reload really quickly despite losing proven talent to college and they have a Miss Volleyball finalist in Campbell Flynn. Detroit Renaissance has athletes and could be competitive. Farmington should be much improved for new coach Dan Englehardt. Southfield Arts and Tech has been up and down for new coach Rachel Watson. Oak Park could struggle this season for Coach Dameminee Goodlow. Overall this doesn’t look as strong as mentioned on paper, this looks like this is the Marlins district to lose.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: I really don’t see anyone in this district touching Farmington Hills Mercy. They have home court, well coached, and proven talented college bound athletes.
District 25 @ Lakeland
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Walled Lake Northern
WEST BLOOMFIELD/Walled Lake Northern vs South Lyon
Walled Lake Central vs Walled Lake Western
Walled Lake Central/Walled Lake Western vs Lakeland
FAVORITE: South Lyon
NEXT: Lakeland
DARKHORSE:Walled Lake Central
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district with a ton of proven teams. West Bloomfield will be an honorary member of the Lakes Valley Conference as they head into White Lake. The Lakers have a solid team for new Coach Elizabeth Ferguson. Walled Lake Northern has been solid along with Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Western. South Lyon has been up and coming. Lakeland has been a standard bearer and has home court. This could be a very interesting district as mentioned.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: I’m really impressed with South Lyon with the way they have been playing all season. I think they have a good chance to win this district. I’ve been very disappointed with West Bloomfield. This will be a really tall task for the Lakers in this district. I see a Lions vs Eagles district final in White Lake.
District 26 @ Holly
OXFORD vs Waterford Mott
OXFORD/Waterford Mott vs CLARKSTON
Holly vs Waterford Kettering
Holly/Waterford Kettering vs LAKE ORION
FAVORITE: Clarkston
NEXT: Lake Orion
DARKHORSE: Oxford
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a really interesting district. Clarkston and Lake Orion really stand out in this district. The Wolves were in the Final Four the last two years. They are also well coached under Coach Alison Smith. The Dragons are well coached and have a nice group of young and experience under Coach Tony Scavarda. Oxford has been up and down as of late but they are well coached under Coach Noelle Zebb. Holly has been a consistent power in the Flint Metro League, they are well coached under Coach Cortney Stack. Waterford Kettering has had some really rough years but have improved under Coach Savannah Hewett. Waterford Mott really struggled last season. The Corsairs should have a rebound year for Coach Beth MacVicar. Overall this looks like it should be a very interesting district especially with two proven State powers in this district.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: This district looks like it will be Clarkston vs Lake Orion in the district finals. The Wolves won in four over the Dragons. Lake Orion has been really hard to trust as of late. Got to give the edge to Clarkston in this district.
District 27 @ Rochester
ROCHESTER vs STONEY CREEK
ROCHESTER/STONEY CREEK vs Orchard Lake St. Marys
AVONDALE vs ADAMS
AVONDALE/ADAMS vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS
FAVORITE: Orchard Lake St. Marys
NEXT: Bloomfield Hills
DARKHORSE: Adams
EARLY THOUGHTS: This district is what in soccer terms is considered the “group of death.” These six teams are really proven programs. Orchard Lake St. Marys is well coached under Coach Molly Campbell. Adams has a new coach in Nancy McKowen taking over the program and her track record has been very successful. Stoney Creek has had a ton of success under Coach Ross Talbott. Rochester has been rapidly improving under Coach Kirk Gibbs. Bloomfield Hills has really improved under Coach Jacob Paige. Avondale has been up and down under Coach Andrew Stepp. This should be a really interesting district, whoever gets hot at the right time should win this very competitive district.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: This really hasn’t changed when it comes to the group of death in soccer terms. Orchard Lake St. Marys is the favorite with Bloomfield Hills right there in the mix. Adams is the wildcard after they have been a funk as of late. Rochester and Stoney Creek are both solid teams but they both have tough roads if they want to make noise. This will be a battle harden district.
District 28 @ Berkley
GROVES vs ROYAL OAK
GROVES/ROYAL OAK vs Birmingham Marian
SEAHOLM vs BERKLEY
SEAHOLM/BERKLEY vs NORTH FARMINGTON
FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian
NEXT: Groves
DARKHORSE: Berkley
EARLY THOUGHTS: Birmingham Marian have been the defending Division One State Champs the last two years. They have a ton of proven experience coming back for Coach Mayssa Cook. Berkley has been very competitive and will be again under Coach Dakota Stainchuk. Royal Oak has been very competitive and should be again for Coach Ciara Schultz. North Farmington will always be in the mix for Coach Michael Love. Seaholm will always be formidable but they need to find it under Coach Derrick Williams. Groves has been up and coming under Coach Madison Close. Overall this district looks weak on paper but it will be very interesting to see how this district goes on Catalpa Drive.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: North Farmington has been up and down this season. It has been a surprise that both Birmingham schools have struggled. Berkley is the wildcard with home field but seriously I don’t see how any of the OAA teams can beat Birmingham Marian in this district. The Mustangs are loaded with proven talent and well coached.
District 31 @ Utica Eisenhower
TROY vs Utica Ford II
TROY/Utica Ford II vs Utica Eisenhower
Sterling Heights Stevenson vs Utica
Sterling Heights Stevenson/Utica vs TROY ATHENS
FAVORITE: Utica Eisenhower
NEXT: Troy
DARKHORSE: Troy Athens
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is shaping to be a really interesting district that is wide open. Troy Athens has been very proven under Coach Mary Kate Zinn. Troy has been very good and really consistent for Coach Tom Vigilant. Utica Eisenhower is well coached and has proven experience for Coach Caitlin Mahoney. Utica Ford II is well coached under Coach Randy Schantz. Utica has been very consistent under Coach Jeff Pratt. Overall the Eagles have to be the favorite because of home court but the Colts have been here before.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: It has been a very interesting season. The Colts have underperformed this season which is surprising. The Red Hawks have had a strong season but having home court helps Utica Eisenhower in this district. I think the Eagles move on.
District 54 @ Detroit Henry Ford
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY vs Detroit Jalen Rose Academy
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY/Detroit Jalen Rose Academy vs Detroit Lincoln King Academy
Detroit Henry Ford vs Detroit Old Redford
Detroit Henry Ford/Detroit Old Redford vs FERNDALE
FAVORITE: Ferndale
NEXT: Detroit Lincoln King Academy
DARKHORSE: Ferndale University
EARLY THOUGHTS: This could be a really interesting district especially if the district final is between Ferndale and Ferndale University which could happen. I’m not sold on the four Detroit teams, they could really struggle and they won’t play the competition as both Eagles teams are going to be. Ferndale University is well coached under Coach Kenton Maki while Ferndale has a new coach in Andrea Phillips taking over the program where they always have athletes. This should be a very interesting district to watch.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: I was really impressed with Detroit Lincoln King Academy. The Eagles have performed well this season. Ferndale University could give them some fits in the district semifinals. I like where Ferndale is at. They could make some noise and I’ve favored them since June. This should be a very interesting district in Detroit.
District 57 @ St. Clair Shores South Lake
Eastpointe vs St. Clair Shores South Lake
Eastpointe/St. Clair Shores South Lake vs HARPER WOODS
Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy vs Warren Lincoln
FAVORITE: Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy
NEXT: Harper Woods
DARKHORSE: St. Clair Shores South Lake
EARLY THOUGHTS: This is not a very strong district when looking at the teams. St. Clair Shores South Lake has been very strong in volleyball but Harper Woods could have a say. The Pioneers are well coached under Coach Lydia Doty-Faulk. Eastpointe has had some struggles along with Harper Woods Chandler Park. Warren Lincoln is the wildcard, the Abes could make some noise in this district. Overall this is not a strong district but the Cavaliers and Pioneers look to be the teams to watch.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: I could have thought more about this district over but Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy has impressed me. Harper Woods has had a solid season as well but they could have some trouble with the hosts from St. Clair Shores South Lake. Whoever wins that matchup should have an interesting matchup with Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy.
District 59 @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
PONTIAC vs Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
PONTIAC/Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood vs Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs Waterford Oakdale Prep
FAVORITE: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
NEXT: Birmingham Detroit Country Day
DARKHORSE: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
EARLY THOUGHTS: This should be a really interesting district. Pontiac came to Division Two this offseason and is looking for a new coach. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is determined to get to Battle Creek for Coach and Athletic Director Becky Wroubel. Birmingham Detroit Country Day was up and down last season but they have been a powerhouse in the past for Coach Kim Lockhart. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood really struggled last season and will look to have a bounce back district for Coach Rachel Zawodny. Waterford Oakdale Prep is a new school and a lot of questions remain for them heading into the season. Overall this should be a two team district but you never know.
UPDATED THOUGHTS: Like I said no changes from the early thoughts other than most likely seeing a Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs Birmingham Detroit Country Day district final which should be a very interesting distict final.
My podcast-Volleyball districts are the third segment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W5E9XcbKf0
MHSAA Volleyball districts