Class A
Birmingham Marian (64-8-1) vs. Grosse Pointe North, 7:15 p.m. Friday — Marian has not lost a single game and looks poised to make a repeat appearance in the finals. The Mustangs have challenged themselves against tough competition all season to prepare themselves to get Battle Creek. Grosse Pointe North has yet to face a team as tough as Marian in the state playoffs. Pick: Marian
Jension (63-6) vs. Livonia Churchill (49-3), 5:30 p.m. Friday — A matchup between the last two state champions. Pick: Churchill

Class B
Holland Chrisitan (48-12) vs. Ida (47-9-2), 5:30 p.m. Thursday — Pick: Holland Chrisitan
North Branch (70-4) vs. Fruitport (45-1), 7:15 p.m. Thursday — Pick: North Branch

Class C
Unionville Sebewaing (33-7-7) vs. Schoolcraft (40-9-2), 2 p.m. Thursday — Pick: Schoolcraft
Monroe St. Mary CC (26-19-4) vs. Calumet (52-3-1), 3:45 p.m. Thursday — Pick: Calumet

Class D
Pellston (46-8-6) vs. Lutheran Westland (45-5-5), 2 p.m. Friday — Lutheran Westland
Battle Creek St. Philip (59-7-5) vs. Bay City All Saints (17-19-4), 3:45 p.m. Friday — Pick: St. Philip

Just two Oakland County volleyball teams remain alive in the quarterfinals and both are looking for a repeat trip to Battle Creek. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is the defending Class B champion and Birmingham Marian fell in the Class A finals last season. Here are the predictions.

Class A
Birmingham Marian (63-8-1) vs. Flushing (49-9), 7:30 p.m. at Holly — The Mustangs eliminated Flushing last season in the quarterfinals in a tough five-game match. A fact I’m sure Flushing has not forgotten. The Mustangs will need big games out of the Lovell sisters and Alex Cocklin to pull this one out. Pick: Marian
East Kentwood (61-9-1) vs. Jension, 7 p.m. at East Kentwood — Pick: Jension
Livonia Churchill (48-3) vs. Carleton Airport (47-7), 7 p.m. at Novi — Pick: Churchill
Grosse Pointe North (39-12) vs. Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (32-17-1), 7 p.m. at Grosse Pointe North — Pick: GPN

NOTE: Teams should not be allowed to have home games in the quarterfinals. At this point it should be at neutral courts. I know these are picked way in advance, but Jension and L’Anse Creuse shouldn’t have to play road games this late in the playoffs. Just my opinion.

Class B
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (47-12-3) vs. Ida (46-9-2), 7 p.m. at Livonia Ladywood — Boy did Notre Dame Prep prove me wrong in its win over Marysville. Not only did the Fighting Irish win, but they did it three-tight games. Ida is a talented team so go ahead prove me wrong again defending champs. Pick: Ida
Plainwell (47-10) vs. Holland Christian (46-12), 7:30 p.m. at Allegan — Pick: Holland Christian
North Branch (68-4) vs. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 7 p.m. at North Branch — Pick: North Branch
Fruitport (44-10) vs. Petoskey (38-8-3), 7 p.m. at Big Rapids — Pick: Fruitport

Playoff record — Regional finals: 4-2; Regional semifinals: 13-2; District finals: 12-4; District finalists: 25-5

Class A
Region 3
(At Grosse Pointe South)
Southfield vs. Grosse Pointe North, 6 p.m. Thursday — Southfield has had another memorable season, but haven’t faced a team as tough as Grosse Pointe North in the playoffs. The Norsemen, who compete in the MAC Red, are more battle tested, which could be the difference. Pick: Grosse Pointe North

Region 5
(At Lake Orion)
Birmingham Marian vs. Troy, 7 p.m. Thursday — Troy is coming off an emotional win over OAA Red rival Clarkston on Tuesday, while Marian defeated Catholic League foe Farmington Hills Mercy for the third time. Marian has nearly its entire team back from its state finalist team last season and that experience will serve them well. Pick: Marian

Region 6
(At Lakeland)
Novi vs. Livonia Churchill, 7 p.m. Thursday — Novi is looking to make its second straight run to Battle Creek after reaching the Class A semifinals last season, while Churchill, the 2007 winter state champions, is looking to redeem itself after falling in regionals last season. The Wildcats have been up and down this season, while the Chargers have been pretty steady. Thursday’s result will depend on which Novi team shows up. Pick: Churchill

Class B
Region 11
(At Pontiac Notre Dame Prep)
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Marysville, 7 p.m. Thursday — Notre Dame Prep denied Marysville its 20th straight regional title last season on its way to winning the Class B state championship. The Vikings have likely been looking forward to this game for an entire year and unless the Fighting Irish find out Molly Coldren has some eligibility left, they could be in for a long night. Pick: Marysville

Class C
Region 19
(At Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest)
Royal Oak Shrine vs. Allen Park Cabrini, 8 p.m. Thursday — A rematch of the Catholic League C-D championship game, which Shrine won, 3-1. The Knights have defeated Cabrini three times this season so they will likely get the Monarchs best shot, but will it be enough? Pick: Shrine

Class D
Region 27
(At Auburn Hills Oakland Christian)
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Lutheran Westland — The No. 6-ranked Lancers will host No. 3 Lutheran Westland in what should be a great Class D matchup. Both teams fell in the regional finals last season, but that obviously won’t happen this year. Pick: Westland

Playoff predictions record
Regional semifinals: 13-2; District finals: 12-4; District finalists: 25-5

Class A
Region 3
(At Grosse Pointe South)
Detroit Cass Tech vs. Grosse Pointe North, 5 p.m. —Pick: Grosse Point North
Southfield vs. Detroit Denby, 6:30 p.m. — The Bluejays were my team to watch in my state playoff preview and are a serious threat to win this regional. Don’t know much about Denby, but Southfield should get the victory. Pick: Southfield

Region 4
(At Royal Oak)
Fraser vs. Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse, 5:30 p.m. — Pick: Fraser
Royal Oak vs. Sterling Heights, 7 p.m. — The winner of this game will have a tough time beating Fraser or L’Anse Creuse, but anything can happen. The Ravens finished in the middle of the pack of the OAA White, while Sterling Heights finished in the middle of the pack MAC Blue. Should be a close one. Pick: Sterling Heights

Region 5
(At Lake Orion)
Troy vs. Clarkston, 5:30 p.m. — The top two teams in the OAA Red standings hook up for another match. The Wolves defeated Troy, 3-0, back on Sept. 18. A lot has changed in the almost two months since that match, but I don’t think the end result will. Pick: Clarkston.
Birmingham Marian vs. Farmington Hills Mercy, 7 p.m. — A rematch of a classic Catholic League A-B championship match, which Marian won in five games. The Marlins will be eager for revenge, but the Mustangs have their eye on getting back to Battle Creek. Pick: Marian

Region 6
(At Lakeland)
Walled Lake Northern vs. Livonia Churchill, 6:30 p.m. — Walled Lake Northern upset KLAA North champion Lakeland in a district final, but upsetting Churchill, the KLAA Association champions, will be much a tougher task. Pick: Churchill
Novi vs. South Lyon, 8:30 p.m. — The two KLAA Central rivals split their two regular season meetings. Both teams have a ton of talent so I’m predicting this one goes five games. Pick: Novi


Class B
Region 10
(At Onsted)
Bloomfield Hills Lahser vs. Ida, 5:30 p.m. — The Knights are a dangerous team in Class B after facing some stiff competition in the OAA Red all season, but Ida is a tough squad. Pick: Ida
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Chelsea, 7:30 p.m. — Pick: Divine Child

Region 11
(At Pontiac Notre Dame Prep)
St. Clair Shores South Lake vs. Marysville, 5 p.m. — Pick: Marysville
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Hamtramck, 7 p.m. — The defending Class B champions should win easily here, but will likely once again have to get through powerhouse Marysville in the regional final. Pick: Notre Dame Prep

Class C
(At Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest)
Region 19
Royal Oak Shrine vs. Detroit Henry Ford Academy, 6 p.m. — The Catholic League C-D champion Knights shouldn’t have any trouble in this one. Pick: Shrine
Allen Park Cabrini vs. TBA — The MHSAA web site didn’t have an opponent for Cabrini listed so I won’t have a pick or should I say it’s TBA.

Class D
Region 27
(At Auburn Hills Oakland Christian)
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 6 p.m. — The Lancers are always tough on their homecourt and should be able to get past Liggett. Pick: Oakland Christian
Birmingham Roeper vs. Lutheran Westland, 7:30 p.m. — The Roughriders were a Cinderella story last season when they advanced to the Class D state championship game last season, sadly I don’t think the slipper will fit this season. Pick: Westland

Class A
District 4
(at South Lyon)
Predicted final: Pinckney vs. Ann Arbor Huron
Winner: Ann Arbor Huron

District 9
(at Fenton)
Predicted final: Fenton vs. Holly
Winner: Fenton

District 19
(at Southfield)
Predicted final: Southfield vs. Detroit Henry Ford
Winner: Southfield

District 20
(at Hazel Park)
Predicted final: Ferndale vs. Berkley
Winner: Berkley

District 23
(at West Bloomfield)
Predicted final: West Bloomfield vs. Farmington Hills Mercy
Winner: Farmington Hills Mercy

District 24
(at Farmington)
Predicted final: Livonia Churchill vs. Farmington
Winner: Livonia Churchill

District 25
(at Novi)
Predicted final: Novi vs. Plymouth
Winner: Novi

District 26
(at Troy Athens)
Predicted final: Troy vs. Rochester
Winner: Troy

District 29
(at Bloomfield Hills Andover)
Predicted final: Birmingham Marian vs. Birmingham Seaholm
Winner: Birmingham Marian

District 30
(at Lakeland)
Predicted final: Walled Lake Northern vs. Lakeland
Winner: Lakeland

District 31
(at Waterford Kettering)
Predicted final: Clarkston vs. Oxford
Winner: Clarkston

Class B
District 40
(at Livonia Clarenceville)
Predicted final: Livonia Ladywood vs. Bloomfield Hills Lahser
Winner: Bloomfield Hills Lahser

District 43
(at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep)
Predicted final: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Warren Regina
Winner: Notre Dame Prep

Class C
District 74
(at Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest)
Predicted final: Royal Oak Shrine vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Winner: Royal Oak Shrine

Class D
District 106
(at Birmingham Roeper)
Predicted final: Birmingham Roeper vs. Warren Michigan Collegiate
Winner: Birmingham Roeper

District 107
(at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes)
Predicted final: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian vs. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
Winner: Oakland Christian

1. Birmingham Marian — The Mustangs clinched the Catholic League Central Division last week with wins over Ladywood and Mercy.
2. Clarkston — The Wolves won the Andover tournament last week and can clinch a share of the OAA Red Tuesday with a win over Lake Orion.
3. Troy — The Colts can clinch a share of the OAA Red title with a win over Birmingham Seaholm Tuesday.
4. Lakeland — The Eagles have dominated the KLAA North so far this season, winning five of its six matches in three games.
5. South Lyon — The Lions win over Novi last week gave them a two-game cushion in the KLAA Central.
6. Novi — Wildcats reached the finals of the Plymouth tournament last week, need wins over Northville and Salem this week to have any hopes of winning the KLAA Central.
7. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep — The Fighting Irish fell to Clarkston in the finals of the Andover tournament and have a huge Catholic League AA game against Dearborn Divine Child tonight.
8. Milford — The Mavericks are tied for first in the KLAA West with Pinckney, after falling to Pinckney last week.
9. Walled Lake Northern — The Knights can set up a showdown for the KLAA North next week against Lakeland with wins over Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Western this week.
10. Birmingham Seaholm — The Maples can clinch at least a share of second place in the OAA Red with a win over Troy Tuesday.

Oakland County volleyball rankings
1. Birmingham Marian — Glad to see Abby Lovell is a finalist for Miss Volleyball.
2. Clarkston — The Wolves are in good position to repeat as OAA I (I know its Red now) champs.
3. Troy — The Colts are tied with Clarkston atop the OAA Red with two league games left.
4. Lakeland — The win over Walled Lake Northern was big last week in the KLAA North race.
5. Novi — The Wildcats need to rebound this week from a loss to Livonia Stevenson last week.
6. Milford — The Mavericks are the favorite the KLAA West now.
7. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep — The Fighting Irish have been solid, but have a lot of work to do if they hope to repeat as Catholic League champs.
8. South Lyon — A big game Tuesday against Novi that could establish them as the favorite in the KLAA Central.
9. Farmington — The Falcons need a win against Seaholm this week to stay in the OAA Red race.
10. Troy Athens — The Red Hawks have rebounded nicely from a horrendous 2007, and are still in the OAA Red race.

Honorable mentions (in no order): Birmingham Seaholm, Walled Lake Northern, West Bloomfield, Rochester

OAA Red heating up
The race for the OAA Red volleyball championship is going to be interesting, with two weeks left before the league tournament on Oct. 18. In years past the title has been pretty much decided going into the tournament, with a team being able to clinch by making the semifinals or finals. This year no team will likely have that luxury with possible ties dividing the regular season points.

The are all kinds of scenarios that could play out and two where four teams could tie for first place in the regular season.

Here are the teams left in contention and the remaining schedule
Clarkston 21-5-1, 5-1 OAA Red
Troy 23-9, 5-1 OAA Red
Troy Athens 25-6-2, 5-2 OAA Red
Farmington 26-9-1, 4-2 OAA Red
Birmingham Seaholm 4-2 OAA Red

Tuesday’s Games
Athens at Clarkston
Lake Orion at Troy
Farmington at Seaholm
Adams at Groves
Lahser — Bye

Tuesday, Oct. 14
Lake Orion at Clarkston
Farmington at Groves
Seaholm at Troy
Adams at Lahser
Athens — Bye

Clarkston can clinch at least a share of first with a win over Athens and a win over Lake Orion on Oct. 14. The Wolves can afford a loss and still tie for first if Troy loses at least one of its games.

The Colts also control their own destiny with a home game against Lake Orion on Tuesday and a home game against Seaholm on Oct. 14. A pair of wins and Troy clinches at least a share of first.

Farmington and Seaholm will need a little help to finish in first. Both need to win on Tuesday to have a shot, but since they are playing each other only one can win. If Farmington wins they need to win at Groves and have both Troy and Clarkston lose both of their games to win first outright or have them both lose at least once to win a share. The same applies for the Maples, who play at Troy on Oct. 14.

For Athens, it needs a win on Tuesday to have a shot at the league title. A win clinches at least a share of second place, but Athens needs Troy to lose at least one game to share first. To win first place outright the Red Hawks need a lot of help. Troy would have to lose both of its games, Seaholm would have to lose to Farmington and beat Troy, Farmington would have to beat Seaholm and lose to Groves and Clarkston would have to lose to Lake Orion. Follow that? I know it’s not likely but it’s possible. What is also possible is that if Athens loses to Clarkston it could fall as far as fifth place.

It should be interesting to see how it plays out and the league tournament should be very competitive, with all kinds of possible scenarios.

A glance at KLAA volleyball
The top two teams in the KLAA Central face off Tuesday when South Lyon (15-5-2, 3-0 KLAA Central) visits Novi (19-5, 3-1 KLAA Central). This game should have huge implications on who wins the Central. The Lions also host Livonia Stevenson on Thursday, while Novi hosts South Lyon East.

In the North Division, Lakeland (19-5, 4-0 KLAA North) is in first after defeating Walled Lake Northern (20-5-3, 4-1 KLAA North) last week. The Eagles host Walled Lake Central (6-10-4, 3-2 KLAA North) on Tuesday and play at Waterford Kettering (6-12, 0-4 KLAA North) on Thursday. The Knights host Kettering Tuesday and have Thursday off.

Milford (20-7-1, 3-0 KLAA West) is atop the West Division, with Howell (14-8-1, 3-1 KLAA West) and Pinckney (17-8-1, 2-1 KLAA West) right below. The Mavericks host Pinckney on Tuesday and Hartland (11-10-3, 0-3 KLAA West) on Thursday.

No Oakland County teams are in the South Division, but Liviona Churchill (23-3, 4-0 KLAA South) is in first, with Canton (17-4, 3-1) and John Glenn (7-3-4, 3-1) tied for second.

Miss Volleyball
The 10 finalists for Miss Volleyball were named just over a week ago. Two of the 10 finalists are from Oakland County. South Lyon outside hitter Kathleen Donehue and Birmingham Marian setter Abby Lovell.

The other eight finalists are Plainwell setter Rachel Davis, Midland outside hitter Lindsey Dulude, Jenison outside hitter Megan Hendrickson, North Branch outside hitter Olivia Kohler, Muskegon Mona Shores middle hitter Marie Roof, Jension libero Taylor Root, Grand Rapids South Christian outside hitter Jordyn Skinner and East Kentwood setter Megan Steenhuysen.

I’ve been busy today working on my volleyball preview, basically calling every coach I can and seeing what they have coming back. Last season was a banner year for Oakland County volleyball with three teams making it to the state finals and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep becoming the first team in the county to ever win a state title. Hopefully volleyball can get a streak of state titles going. Maybe being in the fall will be the difference and the winter was just bad luck this whole time.

I don’t think it’s any shock to anyone that Birmingham Marian is the team most likely to make a run at a state title. The Mustangs return just about everybody from their Class A runner-up squad and will be even better with another year of experience. Several other teams could make runs, but I’ll let you wait until my volleyball preview comes out to see who I think it might be.

Most teams will be taking part in tournaments this Saturday so I hope to have my preview out in the next week or two. There will be an interesting tourney at West Bloomfield that the Lakers coach told me about. A lot of the top teams in the county will be there along with some talented teams from outside Oakland County.

Well I hope to have more updates now that the fall high school season is kicking off. Thanks for reading.

NOTE: Any Oakland County volleyball coaches reading this that I haven’t talked to fell free to E-mail me information about your team to dave.pemberton@oakpress.com Please include a phone number in case I have any follow up questions. Thanks.