2019 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking down the MAC Red, Gold & Silver

<p>The <strong>Macomb Area Conference </strong>is another of the state’s sizable conferences, with six divisions of six teams competing for crowns this year. Of the divisions, the MAC Red is one of the best conferences in the state in terms of depth. Here’s a closer look at the Red, as well as the MAC Gold and MAC Silver for the 2019 season.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>MAC Red Breakdown</strong></p> <p>The MAC Red should be a very exciting race as its an impressive group of six programs. <strong>Anchor Bay</strong>, <strong>Macomb Dakota</strong>, <strong>Utica Eisenhower</strong>, <strong>Marysville</strong>, <strong>Romeo </strong>and <strong>Sterling Heights Stevenson </strong>will contend for the title this year. Eisenhower went 10-0 last season to claim the Red title while Dakota was second and Romeo was third. Stevenson was the MAC White winner in 2018 and moves into the Red Division this fall.</p> <p>Stevenson was actually a D1 quarterfinalists last year before falling to Farmington Hills Mercy. The Titans graduated a big senior class of seven players, four of which were All-Region selections. There will be a lot of new pieces being put into the starting lineup, but the Titans do return setter <strong>Coral Higgins</strong> and outside <strong>Riley Kraiza</strong> to be the foundation of this year’s squad. Eisenhower was able to take the MAC Red last year with a relatively young roster with just two seniors. Both were All-Region players, but Ike still brings back a lot of experience to work with this year. Outside hitter <strong>Sydney Palazzolo </strong>was an All-Region selection as a sophomore. <strong>Meghan Dombrowski</strong> (West Virginia) is another potent hitter the Eagles have back. Her play in the middle is going to be a great compliment to Palazzolo on the outside. <strong>Kira Buza </strong>is a junior middle that also could be in for a big year. Setter <strong>Jenn Falkenhagen </strong>is back after putting up over 1,000 assists as a junior and <strong>Lily Arcari </strong>is a breakout sophomore in the back row that saw some action as a freshman.</p> <p>Dakota finished three games behind Eisenhower last year but did take Ike to five games in one of the two league matches. The Cougars bring back a pair of All-Region players in senior outside <strong>Jenna Scheinke </strong>and senior libero <strong>MacKenzie Mertz</strong>. Junior hitter <strong>Ella Lochbiler</strong> is also back and gives Dakota a solid attack for the fall. Romeo was a winning team in the Red last season, finishing at 6-4 in conference play. The Bulldogs had a good mix of seniors and juniors last year, graduating six players from the 2018 team. Leading Romeo this year will be senior outside <strong>Emily Snay</strong>. She was the go-to hitter for the Bulldogs last year and has only improved her game in the offseason. <strong>Julianna Bollini</strong> also returns in the back row, but Romeo will be tested to find some new reliable hitters to compliment Snay, as well as their QB on the court at setter.</p> <p>Anchor Bay was 5-5 in the division last year while Marysville grabbed just one win. The Tars bring back an impressive duo in senior libero <strong>Khloee Stoll</strong> and sophomore setter <strong>Karlee Stoll</strong>, both of whom were All-Region selections in 2018. They also have a capable middle in senior <strong>Emily Smith</strong>, making them a definite threat in the division this year. Marysville will have a tough climb up the division ladder. The Vikings could see improvement this year, but lost their rock in graduating libero Tyler Bieszczad.</p> <p>This division should be a great battle all season. Be sure to keep an eye out for the marquee matches if you are looking for some good volleyball to watch later in the fall. Ultimately, I like the defending champs to retain due to their returning experience. It won’t be an easy road back to the title, but the Eagles look like the favorite on paper</p> <p><strong>MAC Red Prediction: Eisenhower</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>MAC Gold Breakdown</strong></p> <p>Last year’s champ, Warren Woods Tower, has moved up to the Blue Division, leaving the Gold up to <strong>Warren Cousino</strong>, <strong>Lake Shore</strong>, <strong>Marine City</strong>, <strong>Roseville</strong>, <strong>St. Clair</strong> or <strong>Sterling Heights</strong>. St. Clair finished second in the Gold last season with an 8-2 record. The Saints and Woods Tower were the only teams in the Gold to post a winning conference record last season. St. Clair returns a lot of players, but loses three All-League seniors from 2018, including their setter. Cousino, Roseville and Marine City were all near the middle of the pack last year. Cousino and Marine City bring back All-League talent. <strong>Olivia Jolliffe</strong> is back for the Patriots while <strong>Elizabeth Coverdill </strong>returns for the Mariners. Lake Shore moves from the MAC Blue, where it went winless in 2018. The Shorians return All-League senior <strong>Allison Federlein</strong>.</p> <p>In this year’s battle, I like St. Clair to get to the top. After placing second last year, the Saints have a senior-heavy roster and their experience in winning matches in the division last year should lead them through this field in 2019.</p> <p><strong>MAC Gold Prediction: St. Clair</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>MAC Silver Breakdown</strong></p> <p><strong>Madison Heights Lamphere </strong>ran the table last season to claim the conference title. While familiar foes <strong>Clawson</strong>, <strong>South Lake </strong>and <strong>Warren Mott </strong>remain in the division, the Silver adds in <strong>New Haven </strong>this year, along with <strong>Hazel Park</strong>. New Haven was the Bronze champion a year ago while Hazel Park is a new member to the conference, jumping ship from the OAA.</p> <p>The Rams have a big hole to fill with the loss of division MVP Brenna Murphy. She was a do-everything talent for Lamphere. While senior <strong>Madison Webster </strong>and junior <strong>Ava Wark </strong>return, it will be a big transition to play without Murphy on the floor. New Haven brings back some talented sophomores for their new division. <strong>Dara Capaldi </strong>was an All-League pick in 2018 while <strong>Maggie Jucaj </strong>was the Bronze Division MVP last year. The Rockets should be able to compete right away in this division. Clawson is eager to make a move up the division after finishing second a year ago. <strong>Alex Verner</strong> is a returning All-League senior for the Trojans this year that will certainly be a contender for division MVP.</p> <p>In the race to the title, I like the new addition of New Haven to be the team to beat. Lamphere will have to prove itself without Murphy to claim another crown while Clawson also has a few big holes to fill. I like the experienced youth New Haven is built on.</p> <p><strong>MAC Silver Prediction: New Haven</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></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> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2yIrsKj">Flint Metro League Breakdown</a></p>