2019 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking down the O-K Red, O-K White, O-K Black and O-K Silver
We took a look at three of the seven divisions in the O-K Conference yesterday and now we take a closer look at the remaining four divisions. The O-K Red, White, Black and Silver all have some interesting storylines coming…
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Continue ReadingWe took a look at three of the seven divisions in the O-K Conference yesterday and now we take a closer look at the remaining four divisions.
The O-K Red, White, Black and Silver all have some interesting storylines coming into the 2019 season and features some of the top state title contenders in their respective divisions.
O-K Red Breakdown
Rockford ran the table in 2018 while marching its way to a runner-up finish in Division 2. The Rams are losing three All-State honorees and four seniors in total from that 2018 class, but still return nine from last year’s team. Replacing Lindsay Taylor will be very difficult, but Claire Phillips is a returning middle that could see an increased role this year. Madelyn Long also could be in for a breakout season on the outside. Hudsonville finished four games behind Rockford a year ago to place second in the conference and then suffered a five-set loss to the Rams in the regional semifinal. The Eagles graduated six seniors, but return a solid foundation from last year. Kaylee Maat (Ferris State) is a steady setter that enters her senior year alongside senior outside hitters Braely Herrema and Mallory Keller (Indiana State). Sophomore middle Emmalee Murphy and sophomore libero Carlina Bender also show a lot of potential. Caledonia was the only other .500 team in the conference in 2018, placing 6-6. Grand Haven would go just 4-8, but both teams managed to reach the regionals, with Grand Haven besting Caledonia before falling to Rockford in the final. Grand Haven has a pair of big-time senior outsides in Ashley Slater (Wake Forest) and Sarah Knoll (Michigan Tech) to lead the way. Caledonia will be turning to junior setter Lydia Harper (Miami-Ohio), but have a big hill to climb to get to the league title. While Rockford is the defending champ, Hudsonville looks to be established at most key positions and will be heavily motivated to take down the Rams after last year’s five-set postseason loss.
O-K Red Prediction: Hudsonville
O-K White Breakdown
The 2018 season was about Lowell breaking through and claiming the conference title after coming up short to Forest Hills Northern in 2017. The Red Arrows took Rockford to five sets in districts before coming up shy, but they still established themselves as a Division 1 threat going forward. Meghan Meyer is a returning senior middle that brings a lot of experience to the team, but the Red Arrows also have a very talented junior class. Jenna Reitsma is an outside that ranks fifth in our current Class of 2021 rankings. Emma Hall is another junior outside that is a great compliment to Reitsma. Sophie Powell is the setter that will get to feed them all and run a very prolific offense. Northern isn’t about to go away quietly in 2019. The Huskies will be led by two D1 seniors in Riley Homer (Villanova) on the outside and Bella Hommes (Eastern Michigan) at libero. Forest Hills Central also looks to be in the mix this year as it has talented junior outsides Tatum Otolski and Julia Bouma. Brooklyn Connor is also a promising sophomore middle that could really give Central a dominating attack. There should be a lot of good volleyball coming for the White this year, but I think Lowell is still on an upward trend and is eager to be more than just a conference champion this year.
O-K White Prediction: Lowell
O-K Black Breakdown
Last season saw Fruitport and Jenison tie atop the standings at 11-1. The Trojans and the Wildcats would both be unable to get out of district play, but that should only have fueled them for the 2019 season. Fruitport lost a big senior class and will have to replace a lot of key starters. Jenison does bring back All-Region player Marah Griffore, who had an impressive freshmen season at setter in 2018. The Wildcats also have junior Ella Uganski in the middle. Mona Shores and Reeths Puffer both were four games back of the leaders last year and I think that is too much ground to make up. With Fruitport losing such a big class, I like Jenison to find its way to a solo title this year.
O-K Black Prediction: Jension
O-K Silver Breakdown
NorthPointe Christian won the season race and the conference tournament to establish itself atop the Silver in 2018. NorthPointe would then make a run to the D3 quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champ, Bronson. The Mustangs lose a lot from that team, including their setter, libero and primary outside hitter. All-in-all, the Mustangs lose five All-League talents. That could open the door for Hopkins, which finished second to NorthPointe in 2018. The Vikings bring back All-League outside Ashley Bultema, setter Nicole Pitcsh and outside Brianna Miller. Calvin Christian was third in the league last year and has some impressive seniors in Anika Verbeek and Emma Pastoor, but I think Hopkins has the returning talent to work its way to the top of the conference in 2019.
O-K Silver Prediction: Hopkins
2019 MHSAA Season Preview Content