2024 MHSAA Preview: OAA Red Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1124/register/michigan-freshman-showcase"><em>Michigan Freshman Showcase</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1136/register/michigan-stock-up-showcase"><em>Michigan Stock Up Showcase</em></a><em> are coming to Pontiac on Aug. 4, and in Grand Rapids on Aug. 17. You can get $10 off your registration when you sign up by using code “EllisDig2024.” Be sure to register today.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2024 club season officially in the books, we can now turn the focus onto the upcoming MHSAA prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the conferences that will feature a lot of top talent in the state will be the <strong>OAA</strong>, particularly the OAA Red.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oakland Activities Association is littered with high-profile players that will be pushing to get their teams a division title and deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the OAA Red, <strong>Clarkston </strong>is the defending champion after running the table in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":497872,"width":"285px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/Addison-Newblatt.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-497872" style="width:285px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves could be the favorite on paper again, but come into the fall with a lot of question marks as it graduated five solid contributors from a team that reached the Division 1 semifinals. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] </strong>was a freshman phenom in 2023, playing a setter/hitter combo role. The Wolves had another capable setter with a lot of experience last year, but she graduated. That could leave Smith running the show at her natural position. She is coming off leading Legacy 15-1 ADIDAS to an AAU 15 Open national championship, so that's a role she can certainly shine in. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'] </strong>was a big offensive threat in 2023 and is going to be a primary hitter in 2024 after the team graduated its lead outside. Newblatt has the ability to be a dominant finisher and will be eager to step up as a senior. <strong>Rylee Hunt </strong>returns for her senior year as a middle. She led the team in blocks last season. <strong>Morgan Lozzi </strong>is a senior that could make a big impact as a defender. Clarkston has an opening with its libero jersey and Lozzi has key experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":451910,"width":"240px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_7737.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-451910" style="width:240px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloomfield Hills </strong>could be a threat to Clarkston this fall. The Black Hawks were tied with <strong>Lake Orion </strong>for second a year ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']</strong> leads Bloomfield Hills. The do-everything middle is already one of the top-ranked prospects in the Class of 2026 nationally. She's only getting better and more impactful each year. The key will be for her supporting cast to come through and make key plays in the close matches. The Black Hawks have some holes to fill offensively as they graduated their three leading hitters behind Nwabueze from 2023. That will be a big challenge for sophomore setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512892' first='Brynn' last='Wilcox']. </strong>She got some time running the offense as a freshman, so she will be looked to to step up in a leadership role for this inexperience roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Orion is always a contender in the OAA Red. The Dragons are never short on talent and have a championship pedigree to rely on. The Dragons were young in 2023, but that makes them more dangerous in 2024. They return three of their top four hitters from a year ago. Senior <strong>Charlotte Peplowski </strong>showed she can be a lead hitter on the outside, while sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454367' first='Isabelle' last='Lawhorn']</strong> is a breakout candidate as a 6-foot outside with a lot of potential. Lake Orion won't be short on size in the middle behind junior <strong>Lilah Eliassen </strong>and senior <strong>Carley Zibell</strong>. <strong>Addison Dukus </strong>is back to lead the offense as a senior setter, which should keep things running smoothly from the start of the season. If the Dragons find consistent play on defense, they have the ability to get back to the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rochester Adams, Troy </strong>and <strong>Stoney Creek </strong>all were in the mix with young leaders, which makes them dangerous in 2024. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156294' first='Emily' last='Edwards'] </strong>can be a handful for Adams, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224603' first='Anna' last='Rich'] </strong>is an impact player that will do her part to carry Troy to success. Stoney Creek has some impressive sophomores in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442973' first='Brooklyn' last='Rummler'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442997' first='Morgan' last='Bates']</strong>. With a promising finish to 2023, the Cougars could show a lot of bite in 2024 if they mesh quickly with a new coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seaholm, Rochester </strong>and <strong>West Bloomfield </strong>have some work ahead to get in the mix. The Lakers were the OAA White champion in 2023, but graduated the majority of their production. That's a tough draw to be a young and inexperienced team in this division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->