Volleyball Regional Preview.

Written Saturday November 6th at 11:20 AM

Here are my picks and projections for the three regionals affecting the OAA.

Region 2 @ Novi

 

LAKE ORION vs Lakeland

Birmingham Marian vs Novi

 

INSIGHT: This is a very tough regional at Novi. There are four very strong programs. Birmingham Marian is the defending Division One State Champions. The Mustangs swept arch rival Farmington Hills Mercy in the district finals. Novi won the district at West Bloomfield by beating a very strong North Farmington program. Lake Orion won their district by beating Avondale at Oxford. Lakeland came out of nowhere on their home floor where they stunned Clarkston in four games in the district finals. Whoever wins this regional will have a very strong chance to win the Division One State Championship.

 

PREDICTION: This is a very interesting regional to predict because all four schools can win this regional. Lake Orion and Lakeland is a very interesting matchup. A lot of people expected it would be a Lake Orion/Clarkston rematch but the Eagles stunned the Wolves in the district finals. Lakeland is very scrappy and they could give the Dragons some problems in that regard. I think Lake Orion wins in four games because of the experience factor and that I think the Dragons have been more battle tested. The other matchup is Birmingham Marian/Novi. Both teams are really good and talented but there might be one advantage that might work in Novi’s favor and that’s home court. If the Wildcats student section is fully engaged and creates a true road hostile environment for the Mustangs then the upset probably is much higher. I see something that was really similar to 2011 happening here when Birmingham Marian went into Lake Orion and had to deal with the true road hostile environment where they were upset in four sets. I think Novi does the same as Lake Orion did in 2011 and upsets the Mustangs in five games. It would set up a Lake Orion/Novi regional final. I think road hostile environment will be too much for the Dragons in this regional final. PICK: NOVI.

 

Region 7 @ Lincoln Park

 

Grosse Pointe South vs Dearborn Divine Child

BERKLEY vs Dearborn Fordson

 

INSIGHT: The Bears are back in the regional for the second straight year after winning on the road over Detroit Renaissance in the district finals for the second straight season. Dearborn Fordson won a not strong district. The regional is top heavy with proven powers Grosse Pointe South and Dearborn Divine Child. It should be a very interesting regional to say the least.

 

PREDICTION: This regional looks made for Berkley. If they want to make the next step as a program they need to win or make a very strong showing in this regional. I think the Bears get by Dearborn Fordson in the regional semifinal in three sets. The matchup between Grosse Pointe South and Dearborn Divine Child is very interesting. I think that the Blue Devils survive in five sets and meets Berkley in the regional finals. This match should go either four or five sets. The Bears have a great shot to get to the State Quarterfinals however Grosse Pointe South would prove too much for them. Berkley should be a darkhorse in this regional. PICK: GROSSE POINTE SOUTH.

 

Region 8 @ Chippewa Valley

 

STONEY CREEK vs Macomb Dakota

TROY vs Utica Ford II

 

INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional. Stoney Creek has had a turbulent season but the Cougars have started to play their best volleyball which included a district crown over Utica Eisenhower. Macomb Dakota earned their district crown. The Cougars beat powerhouse New Baltimore Anchor Bay in the district semifinals. Utica Ford II won a not as strong district. Troy had to survive Troy Athens in a five game district final on Friday. This is shaping up to be a very strong regional at Chippewa Valley.

 

PREDICTION: The regional matchups are very interesting at Chippewa Valley. I don’t know if I see Stoney Creek beating Macomb Dakota in the regional semifinals. Both teams are battle tested though but it should be a four or five set match. Troy and Utica Ford II should be an interesting matchup in the second regional semifinal. I see the Colts getting to the regional finals with a likely sweep or maybe four sets. I think it will be a Macomb Dakota vs Troy regional finals but it will be the Cougars that roll onto the State Quarterfinals. PICK: MACOMB DAKOTA.