Volleyball District Preview.

Written Wednesday October 19th at 8:30 PM

Here are my early thoughts and insight heading into volleyball districts that start in a few weeks.

District 18 at Farmington Hills Mercy

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs Detroit Henry Ford

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH/Detroit Henry Ford vs Livonia Stevenson

Farmington Hills Mercy vs. FARMINGTON

 

THOUGHTS: This should be a one sided district. Southfield Arts and Tech and Detroit Henry Ford have struggled all season and will meet in the first round. The winner will see Livonia Stevenson in the district semifinals. The Spartans has been up and down. They should get by either Southfield Arts and Tech or Detroit Henry Ford and make the district finals. Livonia Stevenson should play Farmington Hills Mercy in the district finals but Farmington should put up a challenge despite having everything stacked against them. This district has the Marlins moving onto the regionals. PICK: FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY.

 

District 21 at Berkley

Warren Mott vs. BERKLEY

Detroit Renaissance vs. ROYAL OAK

Warren Mott/BERKLEY vs. Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance/ROYAL OAK vs. OAK PARK

 

THOUGHTS: This district has Berkley vs Detroit Renaissance written all over it in the district finals but Royal Oak is more than capable of beating Detroit Renaissance in the first round. The Bears are in a really great spot with their proven experience. Berkley should beat Warren Mott and Detroit Mumford to get to the district finals. They should be motivated after winning the district last season and after falling to Rochester a few weeks ago for the White crown. I don’t see Detroit Mumford, Oak Park, or Warren Mott posing any challenges in this district. When in doubt go with the home team. PICK: BERKLEY.

 

District 23 at Grosse Pointe North

St. Clair Shores Lakeview vs. Grosse Pointe South

Hamtramck vs. Grosse Pointe North

St. Clair Shores Lakeview/Grosse Pointe South vs. HARPER WOODS

 

THOUGHTS: This should be a very interesting district. Harper Woods has a tough draw despite getting the bye to the district semifinals. Grosse Pointe South and St. Clair Shores Lakeview are solid teams. Grosse Pointe North is the wildcard. I don’t expect much from Hamtramck. This district looks like it’s going to be St. Clair Shores Lakeview vs Grosse Pointe North with the Huskies moving onto the regionals. PICK: ST. CLAIR SHORES LAKEVIEW.

 

District 25 at Bloomfield Hills

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. NORTH FARMINGTON

GROVES vs. Birmingham Marian

BLOOMFIELD HILLS/NORTH FARMINGTON vs. SEAHOLM

 

THOUGHTS: This is an interesting district but Birmingham Marian stands out as the favorite. They are the defending Division One State Champs and have proven experience. They have a great draw as well. This should be a Bloomfield Hills vs Birmingham Marian district finals with the Mustangs easily moving on. PICK: BIRMINGHAM MARIAN.

 

District 26 at Troy

ADAMS vs. AVONDALE

TROY ATHENS vs. ROCHESTER

ADAMS/AVONDALE vs. TROY

TROY ATHENS/ROCHESTER vs. STONEY CREEK

 

THOUGHTS: This is a pick em district where everyone in this district is battle tested. Rochester has been solid winning the White this season as well. Adams and Troy have been very competitive and could make a ton of noise. Troy Athens has had some ups and downs this season. Stoney Creek has really struggled this season but they could surprise some people. Avondale has been decent and could surprise some people. Troy and Adams would be very interesting if they were to meet in the district semifinals. The Highlanders are the best bet to win this district but don't sleep on anyone else, they could have a great week and go on a run in this district. PICK: ADAMS.

 

District 31 at Clarkston

PONTIAC vs. LAKE ORION

CLARKSTON vs. Waterford Mott

PONTIAC/LAKE ORION vs. Waterford Kettering

CLARKSTON/Waterford Mott vs. OXFORD

 

THOUGHTS: This district is looking like it will be Clarkston against Lake Orion in the district finals. The Wolves beat the Dragons in the regular season and seven of the last eight matches. Other than that maybe Oxford could give Clarkston fits in the district semifinals. Pontiac, Waterford Kettering, and Waterford Mott could be in for a very tough districts. I think the Wolves win this district because of home court and proven experience. PICK: CLARKSTON.

 

District 32 at West Bloomfield

Lakeland vs. Milford

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs. Walled Lake Northern

Lakeland/Milford vs. Walled Lake Western

WEST BLOOMFIELD/Walled Lake Northern vs. Walled Lake Central

 

THOUGHTS: This could be a very tough district. Lakeland is the favorite and have really proven it all season long. The Eagles should get to the district finals pending if they can get by Milford which they went five sets with in the Lakes Valley Tournament. Whoever wins that game should have no issue with Walled Lake Western in the district semifinals. West Bloomfield and Walled Lake Northern should be very interesting with that winner taking on Walled Lake Central in the district semifinals. I see a Lakeland vs Walled Lake Northern district finals with the Eagles moving onto the regionals. PICK: LAKELAND.

 

District 54 at Hazel Park

Hazel Park vs. FERNDALE UNIVERSITY

Warren Fitzgerald vs. Warren Lincoln

Hazel Park/FERNDALE UNIVERSITY vs. FERNDALE

 

THOUGHTS: This has the makings of a two team district between Hazel Park and Ferndale but it’s very unfortunate that the favorites in this district are on one side of the bracket. The Vikings shared the MAC Bronze crown this season. Whoever wins the three team side of the draw should win this district. It’s hard to trust Warren Fitzgerald or Warren Lincoln but they have good draws. I like the Ferndale Eagles to win this district. They have been there and done that many times. PICK: FERNDALE.