2019 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking down the MAC White, Blue & Bronze
In this article:
We took a look at three Macomb Area Conference divisions in our last post and now we take a closer look at the MAC White, MAC Blue and MAC Bronze. Each of which will have a new champion crowned in…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe took a look at three Macomb Area Conference divisions in our last post and now we take a closer look at the MAC White, MAC Blue and MAC Bronze. Each of which will have a new champion crowned in 2019.
MAC White Breakdown
Stevenson was the champion of the White last year, but has moved up to the Red this season. That means a new champ will be crowned. Grosse Pointe South is joined by L’Anse Creuse North and Port Huron Northern as returning White contenders. Fraser moves up after winning the Blue Division last year, while Utica makes the jump up after an 8-2 Blue Division record in 2018. Grosse Pointe North moves down from the Red to fill out the six-team field.
Both L’Anse Creuse North and GP South were tied for second in last year’s White Division race, finishing two games behind Stevenson. Both teams would also have competitive showing in the postseason. L’Anse Creuse North has a lot to be excited about this year, as the Crusaders bring back nine players from last year’s team, including three All-League and All-Region selections. Seniors Leah Bieniewisz, Kelsey Starnes and Darienne Johnson will lead the way in 2019. Bieniewicz and Johnson are a great 1-2 punch at the net with Bieniewicz playing on the outside and Johnson handling the middle. Starnes is an athletic libero that did a great job of keeping North in points last season. GP South isn’t as fortunate this year, as it graduated its libero, setter and standout middle. However, the Blue Devils do have a bright talent on the outside in sophomore Jada DiVita. She is one of the top players in the Class of 2022 and could lead GP South to big things this year.
Fraser posted a 9-1 record in the MAC Blue last year and went on to reach the Division 1 regional final before falling to Stevenson. The Ramblers lose division MVP Isabella Grillo, but return two All-League players in junior outside Grace Madison and senior Jessica Pillimonti. Madison is currently a top-20 player in our Class of 2021 rankings. Utica was just a game behind Fraser in the Blue last season. The Chieftains were a veteran team with six seniors, but bring back a powerful outside in Raeleen Sobetski. Utica also has libero Abby Rissman back to anchor the defense.
Port Huron Northern was 5-5 in the White Division in 2018 and the Huskies graduate just four seniors, but they were very productive seniors. Sarah Wright and Sydney Delong were the top two attack options for Northern in 2018 while Aubree Johnston was the setter and Madison Adir the libero. The Huskies definitely have a lot of new faces to work into key spots on the court. GP North had a tough time in the competitive Red Division last season, going just 1-9. The Norsemen lost an All-League and All-Region player to graduation, but the new division could spark some life into them this year.
The MAC White definitely looks like it should be a great race. Fraser, Utica and L’Anse Creuse North all have a lot of experience coming back while GP South should still be a big threat. The Crusaders weren’t far from a division title a year ago and with two potent hitters back, along with a veteran libero, I like them to come away with the crown this year.
MAC White Prediction: L’Anse Creuse North
MAC Blue Breakdown
The top two teams from 2018 are gone to a new division, leaving the door wide open in 2019 for six contenders. Chippewa Valley, Utica Ford II, St. Clair Shores Lakeview, L’Anse Creuse, Port Huron and Warren Woods Tower make up this year’s field.
Woods Tower was the Gold Division champ last season when it ran the table. The Titans lost a lot to graduation though, including three All-League selections. The change in division and working in of new pieces could lead to some early bumps in the road. Chip Valley and L’Anse Creuse both come to the Blue Division from the White Division last year, where both went 1-9. Both have a lot of improving to do this year to contend for the title, but each has a returning All-League senior to lead the way. Chip Valley has senior Alexa Garavaglia who is an athletic outside that can make a lot of plays at the net. L’Anse Creuse has senior Sydney Jackson, who is a shifty six-rotation outside that is as strong on the attack as she is on defense.
Utica Ford was third in the Blue last season, the best finish of any returning team this year. The Falcons bring back a big senior class for 2019, which should have them thinking about a division title. Brianne Bayer and Amber Hardy are a pair of returning hitters that will be a handful in the conference and setter Alexis Strickland is back to feed them both. Lakeview was just behind Ford in the standings in 2018, posting a 5-5 mark in the division. Port Huron finished 1-9 in the division, but still was a .500 team for the season. Both teams suffered big roster losses for 2019 and will have a lot of challenges to find their way in the mix for the title. Experience can go a long way to winning a title and Ford looks to be the most veteran team in this division. I like the offense the Falcons should bring to the court this year.
MAC Blue Prediction: Utica Ford II
MAC Bronze Prediction
The 2018 champ, New Haven, is now in the Silver Division while the likes of Clintondale, Fitzgerald, Lincoln, Madison, Center Line and Eastpointe vie for the title this season. Center Line and Eastpointe both come down from the Silver, but should be in the mix for the title this year. Clintondale was second to New Haven last year, but the Dragons graduated seven seniors. Of the teams in this year’s division, only one returns an All-League honoree from 2018 and that is Madison’s Lidiya Salman, a junior hitter that can also play setter. This division should be wide open, but with Clintondale having the most success last year, I have to go with the Dragons. The returning players still have a winning taste in this conference and that may lead them to the crown this year against teams that are still searching for consistency.
MAC Bronze Prediction: Clintondale
2019 MHSAA Season Preview Content
O-K Gold, Green and Blue Breakdown