Power Series Stage 2 Breakdown & Predictions

<p>The 2020 prep volleyball season has been presented with a number of challenges.</p> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of adjustments, but programs around the state are making the most of the adverse situation.</p> <p>One of the biggest adjustments this fall is the lack of tournaments. Saturday tournaments have always been a staple or the prep volleyball season, but attendance restrictions due to the virus have kept those from happening.</p> <p>To make the most out of that challenge, many solid programs have come together for a Power Series that will run throughout the season.</p> <p>Play began on Sept. 12 with 27 varsity teams coming together for seven different quads (one trio) scattered about.</p> <p>Teams then advance to quads every two weeks based on their performance, ultimately leading to the top four teams meeting in a final quad on Oct. 10.</p> <p>Results from the Sept. 12 quads were:</p> <p><strong>At Romeo: </strong>Mercy 3-0, Troy Athens 2-1, Romeo 1-2, Royal Oak 0-3</p> <p><strong>At Oxford: </strong>Marian 3-0, North Branch 2-1, Oxford 1-2, Rochester 0-3</p> <p><strong>At Lake Orion: </strong>Lake Orion 3-0, Seaholm 2-1, Livonia Stevenson 1-2, Farmington 0-3</p> <p><strong>At Northville: </strong>Northville 2-0, Saline 1-1, West Bloomfield 0-2</p> <p><strong>At Bloomfield Hills: </strong>Bloomfield Hills 3-0, Novi 2-1, North Farmington 1-2, Algonac 0-3</p> <p><strong>At Flushing: </strong>Stoney Creek 3-0, Flushing 2-1, L’Anse Creuse North 1-2, Groves 0-3</p> <p><strong>At Clarkston: </strong>Clarkston 3-0, Eisenhower 2-1, Regina 1-2, Holly 0-3</p> <p>The second of four stages takes place this weekend. Here’s a breakdown of the featured four groupings.</p> <p><strong>At Mercy – Mercy, Oxford and Bloomfield Hills</strong></p> <p>Novi would be part of this quad originally, but the Wildcats are quarantining right now. This is a solid trio still. Mercy hasn’t missed a beat since winning the title. A veteran group still has a great leader in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14163" first="Julia" last="Bishop"] </strong>at setter. Their talented group of hitters are complimented by a great libero in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60859" first="Amina" last="Robinson"]</strong> as well. Bloomfield Hills and Oxford have played very competitive schedules and are capable of beating any of the top D1 teams, they just need to find consistency. <strong>Order Prediction – </strong>Mercy, Bloomfield Hills, Oxford</p> <p><strong>At Clarkston – Marian, Clarkston, Seaholm and Romeo</strong></p> <p>Marian and Clarkston definitely is the featured matchup here. Seaholm and Romeo will pose challenges, but the Wolves and Mustangs have established themselves as top D1 contenders this year. Marian is still a young team, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"] </strong>is playing as well as anyone. Clarkston has veteran leadership with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50296" first="Claire" last="Nowicki"]</strong>. It should be a great clash. <strong>Order Prediction – </strong>Marian, Clarkston, Seaholm, Romeo</p> <p><strong>At Lake Orion – Lake Orion, West Bloomfield, Flushing and Eisenhower</strong></p> <p>The Dragons returned most of their 2019 roster and have arguably the top middle pairing in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14193" first="Kendall" last="Robertson"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50303" first="Reagan" last="Goeke"]</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14188" first="Sydney" last="Palazzolo"] </strong>has looked great for Eisenhower thus far and has Ike looking to earn a marquee win this weekend. Flushing and West Bloomfield will be game opponents, but need to raise their game to get to the top of this quad. <strong>Order Prediction – </strong>Lake Orion, Eisenhower, Flushing, West Bloomfield</p> <p><strong>At North Branch – North Branch, Stoney Creek, Troy Athens, Country Day</strong></p> <p>Country Day didn’t get to play in the first stage, but is part of a very solid quad here. North Branch continues to pick up big wins while freshman <strong>Alana Deshetsky</strong> really making a name for herself. Stoney Creek has only lost to Mercy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50298" first="Ainsley" last="Guse"] </strong>is hitting .450 and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24881" first="Sydney" last="Tomlak"]</strong> is racking up the kills. Troy Athens could play spoiler, but the Red Hawks will see just where they stand this weekend. <strong>Order Prediction – </strong>Stoney Creek, North Branch, Country Day, Troy Athens</p>