2019 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking down the Flint Metro League

<p>The <strong>Flint Metro League </strong>has been largely a two-team race for over a decade, but the 2019 season could see some shifting of power with three new teams into the mix. Here’s a closer look at the 10-team league, which is now shifting into two divisions.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Flint Metro League Stripes Division Breakdown</strong></p> <p><strong>Flushing </strong>put an end to a three-year unbeaten run in the conference for <strong>Fenton </strong>in 2018, grabbing its first league title since 2014. Since 2008, it has been Fenton or Flushing that has won the league title every year. Those two could be the frontrunners again in 2019 in the Stripes Division, which includes <strong>Holly, Flint Kearsley, Linden</strong> and <strong>Swartz Creek</strong>.</p> <p>The Raiders made a run to the Division 1 quarterfinal last year and they graduated just four seniors from the 2018 squad. Those four seniors were definitely impactful, and three were All-Region selections. However, returning this year are sophomore setter <strong>Kendyl Andrews</strong> and senior libero <strong>Isabelle Maynor</strong>, who were both All-League picks. Those two provide a great foundation if the Raiders can develop their hitters. <strong>Maddy House </strong>is a senior outside the team will turn to this year and senior DS <strong>Harper Johnson</strong> also returns to give Flushing a great back row.</p> <p>Fenton wasn’t far off from Flushing last year, losing their league meeting in a competitive five-set battle. The Tigers lose big senior class, led by outside hitter Chloe Idoni, but return versatile senior setter <strong>Sydney Acho</strong>. Senior hitter <strong>Lydia Podlesak </strong>also returns to give Acho a familiar face to set up. Holly was in third in the league last year at 6-2. The Bronchos have had a tough climb in the Flint Metro League over the years, but last season was a step in the right direction. Holly had just two seniors on the 2018 team, which leaves a lot of optimism for 2019. <strong>Kennedy Hogan </strong>was a First Team All-League selection as a sophomore middle hitter. She will be primed for another big season in 2018. Holly has a lot of promising hitting as juniors <strong>Paige Weeder</strong>, <strong>Nicole Jewell </strong>and <strong>Sarah Jewell </strong>are also back. They each put up over 100 kills a year ago, combining for nearly 500 between the three of them. <strong>Lauren Lesch </strong>is also back in the back row after leading the team in digs in 2018, while junior <strong>Sydnie Meszler </strong>is a setting option that played in a 5-2 last year.</p> <p><strong>Linden </strong>placed in fourth last season at 5-3 and the Eagles return two All-League honorees in seniors <strong>Makenna O’Keefe</strong> and <strong>Avery Koan</strong>. O’Keefe is a do-everything outside for Linden that has great all-around skill. Koan is a hard-nosed DS that makes a lot of critical plays in the back row. Kearsley and Swartz Creek were near the bottom of the league last year.</p> <p>Flushing and Fenton are the two teams that have owned this conference, but on paper it looks as if Holly may have its best chance to shake things up in this division. The Bronchos will have a lot of experience back, the question is can they win those crucial sets that come with winning a championship. That is something both Flushing and Fenton understand no matter who is on the floor. Since 2008, Fenton has not lost the Flint Metro League in two consecutive seasons. It’s hard to go away from that glaring trend.</p> <p><strong>Flint Metro League Stripes Division Prediction: Fenton</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Flint Metro League Stars Division Prediction</strong></p> <p>Things take a turn in the FML with this new division. <strong>Brandon, Clio</strong> and <strong>Owosso </strong>are Flint Metro League stalwarts, but now the three teams join <strong>Corunna, Goodrich </strong>and <strong>Lake Fenton</strong> to form the Stars Division The three new teams come from the Genesee Area Conference. Corunna was a D2 semifinalist in 2018 thanks to the play of <strong>Elizabeth Norris</strong>, who led the state in kills with 879. She can single-handedly take over a match and will be the player to watch in this division. The Cavs also have sophomore middle <strong>Ellie Toney </strong>back to compliment her at the net.</p> <p>Goodrich had a strong year in 2018 as well but ran into a tough Notre Dame Prep squad in district play. The Martians graduated just two seniors and return most of the starters. <strong>Olivia Francis </strong>led the team in kills last year and is back to be a senior leader, while junior <strong>Kennedy Zarembski </strong>is also a handful at the net, especially on defense. Lake Fenton was more of a senior-led team with five seniors and seven juniors. The returning Class of 2020 should provide some leadership, but the Blue Devils have holes to fill.</p> <p>Clio<strong>, </strong>Brandon and Owosso finished in the bottom half of last year’s Flint Metro race. Clio brings back a promising star in sophomore <strong>Taryn Eckert</strong>, the lone freshman to make the All-Flint Metro League Second Team in 2018. Clio brings back a promising star in sophomore <strong>Taryn Eckert</strong>, the lone freshman to make the All-Flint Metro League Second Team in 2018. Corunna looks like the team to beat here as the Cavs will have the top player and have that Battle Creek experience to help carry them through tough matches this season.</p> <p><strong>Flint Metro League Stars Division Prediction: Corunna</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2019 MHSAA Season Preview Content</strong></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2YSsP4E">Division 1 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2XOw6pk">Division 2 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2OakE2N">Division 3 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Z7rI15">Division 4 Storylines</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Yhveow">OAA Conference Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2YbDY4d">O-K Gold, Green and Blue Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Kjv8HQ">O-K Red, White, Black and Silver Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Yz0RxU">CHSL Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/31g9wTJ">CAAC Breakdown</a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2KrbPMP">KLAA Breakdown</a></p>