2018 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking down the CAAC
The 19-team Capital Area Activities Conference features three competitive divisions in the 2018 season. This year’s CAAC has some promising contenders in the state picture, as well as some of the most impactful players in the state. Here’s a closer…
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Continue ReadingThe 19-team Capital Area Activities Conference features three competitive divisions in the 2018 season. This year’s CAAC has some promising contenders in the state picture, as well as some of the most impactful players in the state. Here’s a closer look at what the CAAC has to offer.
CAAC Blue Breakdown
The entire CAAC got a shake-up this year, but the Blue will seemingly feel it the most as DeWitt moves over after a 10-0 run in the Red in 2017. They join last year’s Blue champ Okemos (14-0), as well as Holt, Grand Ledge, East Lansing, Everett and Waverly.
The DeWitt Panthers reached the Class A semifinals to go with their CAAC Blue title. This year’s squad returns a lot of talent, led by First Team All-State selected Desiree Becker (Northwestern) at middle hitter. The 6-3 Becker ranks fourth in our 2019 player rankings. She is joined by senior outside Sydney Mills, giving DeWitt a great attack to lean on this year. The two combined for over 600 kills in the 2017 season.
Okemos loses a lot from its 2017 CAAC Blue championship squad, but has a strong junior leader in setter Natalie Thom. For hitters, Okemos will look to senior Grace Richardson in the middle and senior Lillie Brewer on the outside to lead the way.
Holt was in the mix in the Blue last year and returns junior libero Katelyn Whiteman. The Rams have a lot of work to do in replacing top hitters, senior Sophie Romigh and sophomore Bailey Long appear to be up to the challenge in the middle.
Grand Ledge had 10 wins in conference play a year ago, but lost both all-conference players in Mackenzie and Mollie Winger. The Comets have just four seniors this year, so there could be some early struggles through the transition of working in a lot of younger talent.
CAAC Blue Prediction: DeWitt
CAAC Red Breakdown
With DeWitt making the switch to the Blue, things are wide open in the CAAC Red. Fowlerville and Williamston move from the CAAC White after finishing second and third, respectively. They join St. John’s, Mason, Haslett and Waverly.
Both Mason and St. John’s tied for second in the Red in 2017 and the Bulldogs have a lot of reason to be excited for 2018. Mason returns three All-Region players from last year, led by senior setter Bailee Crandall and senior libero Anna Walta. Those two provide a great foundation for the rest of the team. Sophomore Sage Kissman is among the promising members of the Class of 2021 and will be a go-to outside for Mason in 2018.
St. John’s has an uphill climb after losing a senior class that included four All-CAAC players. The Redwings do return junior outside Kylee White and senior Brooke Gnegy, who were a regular part of the attack last year.
Haslett was fourth in the White last year, but brings back seniors Jordan Valley (South Florida) and Ella McKinney. Valley ranks 16th in our 2019 player rankings and is one of the top liberos in the state. McKinney was second on the team in kills in 2017.
Fowlerville returns senior middle Leah Ash and senior outside Jackie Jarvis, which should help the Gladiators compete in the Red. Williams loses a pair of hitters in Allison Peplowski and Olivia Burton, but the Hornets still have a foundation in senior setter Alana Kemler.
CAAC Red Prediction: Mason
CAAC White Breakdown
Lansing Catholic comes in as the defending champion, going 10-0 in the 2017 season. The field for the title changes quite a bit as the 2018 conference features Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Ionia, Lansing Sexton and Portland.
The Cougars were successful last season despite being a somewhat younger team at key positions. This year’s team will have veteran leadership behind seniors Isabelle Brogan and Isabelle Poupard. Brogan was second on the team in kills last year while Poupard is the returning libero. The team also brings back junior setter Audrey Schultz to give them a solid foundation to build on.
The rest of the conference features teams that had just three wins or less in their respective division last year. Sexton moves over from the Blue, but loses most of their contributors from 2017. It does bring back Tori Blackman, a senior that can play all over the floor. Charlotte moves over from the Red and returns sophomore hitter Rylee Van Patten.
Portland was 3-7 in the White a year ago, but does have some optimism behind returning middle Jolee Pung and returning libero Lesley Barker. The seniors hope to get some help from developing hitters to make a run in the division.
CAAC White Prediction: Lansing Catholic
Other 2018 Season Preview Content:
Blue Water Area Conference Breakdown