OAA Red Breakdown: Top Teams, Top Players in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**PrepDig Michigan is putting on three Showcase Events in August. We have the <strong>Freshman Showcase </strong>and <strong>Stock Up Showcase </strong>on Aug. 2, with our inaugural <strong>Up Next Showcase </strong>for 2031-33 prospects on Aug. 16. You can sign up for these events now on </em><a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/"><em>our Events Page</em></a><em>.&nbsp;<strong>Use PROMO CODE “Drew26PD25OFF”&nbsp;</strong>to get 25% off your registration. Be sure to get locked in before you get left out.**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 2026 prep season keeps inching closer, it's worth taking a look at some of the top conferences around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We start with the Oakland Activities Association Red Division, where the team that emerges is usually among the top contenders to win a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bloomfield Hills came through the conference unscathed last year and reached the D1 final in 2025. This year's race feels wide open, as there's a lot of great talent in the OAA Red once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Black Hawks had the ultimate ace up their sleeve last year with <strong>Kayla Nwabueze</strong> dominating, she's off to Harvard, leaving Bloomfield Hills with a big hole to fill. The good news for the Black Hawks is they have plenty of talent back that had big contributions during their postseason run. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512892' first='Brynn' last='Wilcox'] </strong>returns at setter, providing key leadership on the floor. She also has a potent outside back in junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe']</strong>, one of the most powerful hitters in the state. Middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768151' first='Emily' last='Nwabueze'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='775900' first='Suri' last='Ewing']</strong> had solid freshman years, and looked like they were ready for bigger roles at the end of 2025. <strong>Alyssa Mori </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490041' first='Julia' last='Colosimo']</strong> were defensive leaders last fall that are also back as seniors to provide added leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stoney Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars were a bit of a surprise last fall, finishing second in the league thanks to a pair of 5-set wins over Lake Orion and Clarkston. Stoney did that with a relatively young team a year ago, which makes the Cougars a real threat in 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] </strong>(Michigan State) is one of the top junior hitters and will be able to be a big spark for Stoney Creek this year. She's got senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442973' first='Brooklyn' last='Rummler'] </strong>(Florida International) patrolling the middle, as well as senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849248' first='Bianca' last='Micakovic']</strong>, and sophomore <strong>Gabby Parrish </strong>returning to keep this offense humming. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442997' first='Morgan' last='Bates'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='531680' first='Ava' last='Youhanna'] </strong>are both back at setter for their senior year as well, giving the Cougars plenty of experience on offense. Another senior is returning in the back row as well in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808796' first='Kaitlyn' last='Gustafson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves gave Bloomfield Hills a tight match, showing their potential to be one of the best in the state. This year is a good opportunity for Clarkston to piece it altogether behind senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</strong> (North Carolina). She's got good chemistry with outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442985' first='Josie' last='Seets'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809036' first='Maya' last='Kuebler']</strong>, also seniors. Aiding the front will be junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765785' first='Kaylynn' last='Johnson']</strong>, who came through with some big kills in 2025. The back row will be patrolled by standout sophomore libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757121' first='Stella' last='Smith']</strong>, who brings a lot of maturity and leadership for an underclassman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lake Orion</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons are the last OAA team to win the state championship and are always a threat to win a league title and beyond. This year's team will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807779' first='Isabelle' last='Lawhorn']</strong>, a senior outside that has been one of the team leaders since she was a freshman. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902095' first='Julia' last='Graebner'] </strong>is also back in the middle for a nice 1-2 punch, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='852447' first='Abby' last='Lenda'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='846725' first='Clover' last='Nash'] </strong>are two junior hitters that showed some impressive flashes last fall. <strong>Caitrin O'Rourke </strong>is a junior setter that also returns and has good chemistry with the experienced offense. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709804' first='McKenzie' last='Reid'] </strong>also returns at libero after putting up good numbers as a sophomore in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. [player_tooltip player_id='530458' first='Alexia' last='Decker'], OH Oxford; Sr. [player_tooltip player_id='442992' first='Lucy' last='Goss'], OH Rochester Adams; Jr. [player_tooltip player_id='587018' first='Sasha' last='Jackson'], DS/L West Bloomfield; Sr. [player_tooltip player_id='727867' first='Lauren' last='Johnston'], DS/L Rochester Adams; Sr. [player_tooltip player_id='513767' first='Rachel' last='Johnston'], RS/MB Rochester Adams; Sr. [player_tooltip player_id='770998' first='Hannah' last='Maisner'], OH/DS West Bloomfield; Sr. [player_tooltip player_id='442971' first='Brenna' last='Mirovsky'], OH Oxford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->