2018 MHSAA Season Preview: 5 conference battles to watch

We are just a handful of weeks away from the start of the 2018 Prep Volleyball season here in Michigan. This year’s MHSAA season should feature a number of great conference races. Here’s a look at five conferences that should be very competitive.

OAA Red: The Oakland Activities Association has a loaded conference in its Red Division. Every contest can be coin flip on most nights. This eight-team field is full of talent and potential, featuring many of the best players in the state. Clarkston and Stoney Creek split the title last season while Lake Orion dealt with injuries. The Dragons hope that they can avoid the bug this year and take over the top spot. Led by 2019 outside Paige Briggs (Western Kentucky) and 2019 setter Wren McCauley (New Hampshire), Lake Orion could be the team to beat. Clarkston has the challenge of replacing a big talent in Abbey Malinowski, but still has plenty of young talent to work with. Stoney is probably being overlooked, as it also was last season. The Cougars are still fundamentally sound. Bloomfield Hills and Troy can’t be overlooked either, as the Black Hawks have standout 2020 setter Alexa Rousseau (Northwestern) while Troy has our top-ranked player in 2019, outside hitter Jessica Robinson (Michigan), as well as standout right-side hitter in 2020’s Francesca McBride (Florida). The conference also features dangerous teams in Seaholm, Adams and Oxford.

CHSL Central: When half of your conference reaches Kellogg Arena for the state semifinals, it’s a pretty good indication of how strong it is. Last year, the CHSL Central had Mercy, Marian and Ladywood all reach their respective semifinals. Mercy and Marian collided in the Class A semifinal while Ladywood reached the Class B semifinal. While Ladywood played its final season in 2017, the conference could very well be heavily represented at Battle Creek again this year as Mercy returns a stacked team, led by 2020’s top-ranked player in outside Jess Mruzik (Michigan). They also have some strong 2021 players in the mix this year, led by setter Julia Bishop. Marian lost to Mercy in the CHSL final a year ago, but got the last laugh in the Class A semifinal. The Mustangs have a new coach in Mayssa Cook, who knows the conference well and will rely on the leadership of 2019 setter Maddie Dowd (Georgetown). Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard was on the outside of the conference race in 2017, but will be difficult out during the 2018 season.

MAC Red: Like the OAA Red, the Macomb Area Conference Red is also loaded. Dakota got the best of the field last season by a game while Anchor Bay sat in second. The conference also features Eisenhower and Marysville, who both were contenders in the state picture. Romeo had a down year, but is just a few years removed from a state championship and a runner-up finish in Class A. Dakota will be relying on some of its younger talent this year after losing a stacked senior class from 2017 and Anchor Bay will have to begin life without dynamic player Maria Mallon. Eisenhower hopes it can make up the difference, led by 2019 outside hitter Marissa Durand (Cleveland State).

OK-Gold: While a little top-heavy, the OK-Gold features two teams that could find themselves holding state championships in 2018. Grand Rapids Christian was the conference winner in 2018 and is certainly a team to watch in the Division 2 race this year. East Grand Rapids couldn’t get past GR Christian last year, but will be a tough out in Division 1 in 2018. Led by 2019 outside hitter Maria Bos and 2020 setter Jordyn Gates (Arkansas), Grand Rapids Christian is hoping to maintain its hold on the OK-Gold in 2018. East Grand Rapids won’t make it easy, as it will be strong defensively behind 2019 libero Andrea Salasky, 2020 libero Grace Gorsline and 2020 outside hitter Olivia Bergsma. South Christian, Forest Hills Eastern and Thornapple Kellogg can’t be overlooked either, as they will be looking to prove that they can be in the mix this year as well.

CMAC: Of the small-school conferences, it’s hard to find much better than the Central Michigan Athletic Conference. The CMAC featured two teams that reached the state finals in their respective classes. Laingsburg took three-time defending champion Bronson to four sets before falling in the Class C final and Fowler lost to Plymouth Christian in three sets in the Class D final. Saranac, Pewamo-Westphalia, Bath, Fulton and Portland St. Patrick are also all in the mix. The CMAC season certainly prepares teams for what is to come in the MHSAA playoffs.