A glance at volleyball teams not in the preseason top 10. Capsules are in alphabetical order.



Auburn Hills Avondale — Yellow Jackets coach Valerie Blanchette said her team will be aggressive this year. Key players for Avondale will be senior MH Chelsea David, who is a solid blocker with good timing, junior OH Kathleen Blanchette, junior LH Leslie Carter and senior DS Stephanie Yarnevich. The Yellow Jackets will feature two setters in sophomores Crystal Burklyand and Andrea Strauss.



Berkley — The defending OAA III champions are moving up to OAA II this year and hope to finish near the top of the league. Berkley lost just one senior from last year’s team that won a Class A district title and reached the regional finals. Senior MB Brittany Bauer is the Bears strongest hitter and led the team in aces last year. Senior S Kelly Serr is a three-year starter and will run the offense. Defensively Berkley will be led by junior L Brittany Lines, senior DS Jeannie Schott and senior DS Becca Konel.



Birmingham Detroit Country Day — First-year head coach LaQuesha Miller is hoping to bring a winning attitude to a program that has been down in recent years. Senior S Rachel Crews is the Yellowjackets best all-around player. Crews racks up kills, blocks and assists for Country Day. Senior MH Maggie Shannon is one of the team’s best passers and hitters, freshman MH Maria Buczkoski is a consistent hitter and all-around player and sophomore RH Aren Dumars will also be a key player for Country Day this season.



Birmingham Groves — The Falcons hope to finish near the top of the OAA I behind five returning seniors and a talented junior in OH Jessie Best, who was an all-region selection last season. Groves was dealt a blow when junior Sydeny Mayone injured her knee during the soccer season. Senior OH Megan Tomasweskie is a three-year varsity player, who coach Jen Wind hopes to get more involved this season. Senior L Hayley Beach, senior DS Michelle Ustick, senior S Hannah Burch and senior RH Kelsey Valente are all returning players, who will play important roles this season.



Birmingham Roeper — The Roughriders shocked some people by reaching the Class D state championship game last season and return all but two players from last year’s squad. Senior MH Stephanie Holloman was a Class D second team all-state selection last year and led the team in kills. Senior S Tricia Haslinger was a third-team all-state selection and will once again run the offense. Senior OH Carly Bietz and senior L Mariah Harrison are also key returnees.



Bloomfield Hills Andover — Barons coach Bob Hurdle said his team could be dangerous if they come together quickly. Andover returns six players, including three starters from last year’s squad, which finished third in the OAA II. Junior OH Jessie Prepolec was an all-region selection as a sophomore last year and is already getting interest from Division I schools. Other key returning players include senior L Christy McGraw, junior MH Jordan Grantz and senior S Leah Popkin. The Barons also have several talented youngsters in sophomore MH Paula Demings, sophomore OH/S Judy Phelen and sophomore OH Sophia Garfinakel, who will all be seeing plenty of playing time.



Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood — Cranes head coach Jeff Miller expects his team to repeat as Metro League champions. Miller said the team’s strength will be its front row behind senior OH Paige Simmons, who is an outstanding all-around player and a great hitter, senior MH Kate Blessing, who is a solid blocker, senior S/OH Kelley Pace, senior OH Abby Cohen, senior OH/S Ariel Roddy and senior OH Devin Marsh. Miller said the team also has a strong group of underclassmen, who should make contributions.



Bloomfield Hills Lahser — The Knights drop down to Class B this year so they could be a team to watch come state playoff time. Lahser returns six players from last year’s team that finished third in the OAA I. Senior MH Tori Manix (6-1) is a great blocker and is getting interest from Division I schools, including UConn. Senior MH Shannon Ramelot, senior OH Same Jones, senior RH Annie Mergel and senior DS Alyssa Hertle are all returning starters. Junior Courtney McAvoy is stepping in as the team’s setter and junior Leah Esrich will be the Knights’ libero. Lahser will also have some quality depth with senior Gina Wymore, junior OH Caitlin Kopmeyer, junior Anna Boomer, junior DS Raise Gao and sophomore S Liz Maylin.



Ferndale — The Eagles could be a contender in the OAA III this season. Junior LH Kattlyn Chartier is a third-year varsity player and a solid all-around player and senior MB Raven Kelly will be a key player in the middle for Ferndale. Eagles coach Joe LaMango said the team is young overall, but should be a strong hitting team if their passing improves.



Lake Orion — The Dragons move up to OAA I this season after winning the OAA II last season. Lake Orion returns five players, including three starters. Senior L Alicia Roth, who has committed to Samford, is a quick and dedicated player. Dragons coach Bob Howey is hoping for a big year from senior S Kayla Hill, who is entering her second year as a starter. Other key players for Lake Orion include senior MH Maddie Blackburn, junior S/DS Allegra Recknagel and junior MH/OH Sarah Connolly.



North Farmington — The Raiders are hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2007 season with six kids back from last year. Senior S Stephanie Arnold is a player North Farmington can plug in anywhere on the court. Junior L Tori Czech will be a contributor after transferring in from Farmington. Other key players include senior MH Courtney Krause, senior DS Diana Carter, senior DS Bridget Vance, sophomore OH Kaitlyn Krause and sophomore OH Allison Peasley.



Oxford — The Wildcats have the talent to repeat as Flint Metro league champions despite losing seven seniors from last year. Senior LH Brittany Moncrieff, who is a four-year starter, has an excellent vertical and was an all-region selection last year, junior MB Marissa Manzella is a quick on the net and a good blocker, junior LH Keeona Ives is an athletic player and a good passer and sophomore S Paige Felisky is a solid all-around player.



Rochester — The Falcons hope to contend for the OAA II title this season and return eight players, including five starters from last year. Senior OH Amanda Swan is a four-year varsity player, who can hit the ball hard and has improved defensively. Senior S Lindsey Gray is three-year starter that can place the ball wherever she wants it. Rochester was dealt a blow when Karlene Foisy injured her knee. Sophomore MH Erin Leppek and junior MH Molly Irvine will also be key players for the Falcons.



Rochester Adams — The Highlanders will be young, but strong defensively this season. Senior S Madison Moran is a solid power-hitter when she is not setting, sophomore DS Alex Hubbard can also set and plays great defense, and senior OH Bethanie Gallagher is also good defensively and a leader on the court for Adams. Senior MH Amanda Recchia, senior MH Anna Zaleski and senior RH Jackie Dospil will also be key players.



Stoney Creek — The Cougars are hoping with eight players back from last year they can rebound from a disappointing ’07 season. Senior MH Danielle Kowalski (6-0) has a great swing and is getting interest from Division II schools. Junior S Marisa Girska is a quick player that can run the offense. Senior OH Katie Bertolini and junior RH Morgan Suing will also be key player up front for Stoney Creek.



Troy — After a year off Heather Matthew is back as the Colts head coach. Matthew led Troy to the OAA I title in the winter season of 2007. The Colts have four talented seniors back in senior OPP Sara Shouhayib, who has an excellent jump serve, senior S Andrea McAuliffe, who makes smarts decisions and is cool under pressure, senior MH Brittany Chaklos, who jumps extremely well and plays all-around, and senior OH Shelby Horne, who is a great energy player and hits a heavy ball.



Troy Athens — The Red Hawks return their entire team from last year and coach Kerri Morrison is hoping for good things. Key players up front for the Red Hawks will be senior MH Stephanie Taubitz, who is a three-year varsity player and a good blocker, senior MH Kelsey Phipps and junior S Allie Alfonso. Defensively the Red Hawks will be solid behind senior DS Sam Miceli, senior DS Kara Loush, senior DS Karla Zoratti and senior DS Emily Rajter.



Walled Lake Western — Warriors coach Beth Cannales said her team will be a scrappy group that will surprise some teams. Senior OH Paige Partenio is a versatile player and a four-year varsity player, sophomore setter Jena Young in a returning starter and will be better with a year of experience and senior OH Carly Amhowitz is a smart player that doesn’t make may mistakes. The rest of the team is pretty young according to Cannales, but has a lot of potential.



West Bloomfield — The Lakers should once again be one of the top teams in the OAA II. West Bloomfield coach Jason Gold said the team’s success will depend on how consistent they are. Senior S Stephanie Pyles is a four-year varsity setter and a solid all-around player, senior MH Emelle McConney is a three-year varsity player and the Lakers top blocker and senior OH Lauren DeLuyck worked hard in the offseason to improve. West Bloomfield also received a boost when senior OH Emily Grant transferred in from Northville.