2021 standouts from the Motor City Showcase

<p>The Class of 2021 is a very deep talent pool in the state of Michigan and a lot of the top names were on hand for the Motor City Showcase last Friday at Ultimate Soccer in Pontiac. In front of a number of college coaches from around the Great Lakes area, here’s some players that shined during the showcase.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Outside Hitters</strong></p> <p><strong>Madison Grace, Fraser/Legacy: </strong>Grace put up a 9’8” approach touch at the showcase and that led to some impressive kills in scrimmage action. Grace plays well above the net and can bring the hammer.</p> <p><strong>Mikayla Haut, SMCC/Michigan Elite: </strong>Haut is just a natural all-around talent. She is a six-rotation player that looks calm and comfortable in every aspect of the game.</p> <p><strong>Ellie Tisko, Mercy/Michigan Elite: </strong>Tisko is someone that can play any position at the net and succeed. She showed great consistency throughout the showcase.</p> <p><strong>Lauren Staruch, Lake Orion/Unified: </strong>Staruch is a player with potential. Her footwork could use some work, but she was still very effective with her swings. As she continues to develop, she will be a big-time finisher.</p> <p><strong>Peyton Bartnikowski, Valley Lutheran/Michigan Elite: </strong>Standing just 5-7, Barnitkowski plays above her size, but her passing and serve receive was really impressive.</p> <p><strong>Milan Lee, Academy of the Sacred Heart/Legacy: </strong>Lee really shined in 5-on-5 play, making a number of tough plays defensively to keep her team alive while delivering some powerful attacks with her 5-9 frame.</p> <p><strong>Samantha Deinek, South Lyon East/Michigan Elite: </strong>Deinek stands 6-2 and she could create a real pop off the volleyball when she connected on her swings. Her size and power will make her a handful in the Lakes Valley Conference.</p> <p><strong>Abigail Costlow, SMCC/High Street: </strong>Costlow is just a really consistent player that can make a play in the front or back row. You never notice a bad play coming from her.</p> <p><strong>Kaylin Collins, Mercy/Michigan Elite: </strong>Collins is part of that deep Mercy hitting crew, but she brings her own strengths to the floor. She can impact the game anywhere, at any time.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Setters</strong></p> <p><strong>Julia Bishop, Mercy/Michigan Elite: </strong>There wasn’t anything I really needed to see from Bishop. She’s one of the best players in the entire class and a great leader on the floor.</p> <p><strong>Callie Bauer, Hudson/Impact VBC: </strong>Bauer really displayed great athleticism during the showcase and showed her ability to play multiple positions, though she is clearly one of the top setters in this class.</p> <p><strong>Audrey Schultz, Lansing Catholic/Attack: </strong>Schultz was in a talented setter pool but held her own and was steady and consistent. Schultz will be a talent in the Lansing area that should really shine the next two years.</p> <p><strong>Caris Cross, Bedford/Michigan Elite: </strong>Cross is another athletic setter that was able to play at a high level in 6-on-6 action. She can run a fast offense and mix up her sets.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Middle Hitters</strong></p> <p><strong>Charli Atiemo, Mercy/Michigan Elite: </strong>Atiemo really has great footwork, which allows her to get the most out of her attacks. She is always positioning herself in the right spot, at the right angle.</p> <p><strong>Ryann Tolbert, Detroit Country Day/Michigan Elite: </strong>Tolbert had some of the best testing numbers with a 9’5” block touch and a 9’9” approach touch. She certainly has the raw talent to shine as she continues to sharpen her skills.</p> <p><strong>Sophie Paspal, Salem/Michigan Elite: </strong>Paspal is listed at 6-1, but she played longer and really knew how to utilize her length at the net.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Libero/DS</strong></p> <p><strong>Hannah Blaney, Saline/Legacy: </strong>Blaney was always putting out great effort and was a consistent passer that showed crisp technique.</p> <p><strong>Rachel Jennings, Novi/Michigan Elite: </strong>Jennings has a long reach and she is able to cover a lot of ground in the back row. She’s a gamer that never looks intimidated.</p> <p><strong>Olivia Kowalkowski, Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite: </strong>Kowalkowski has a lot of big-match experience already and she is someone that doesn’t make the same mistake twice. Very aware, she always bounced back from a bad pass or missed opportunity.</p> <p><strong>Livvy Setla, Northville/Legacy</strong>: Setia was someone that stood out with her competitiveness. She played her position well and was very engaged during all the drills and competitions.</p> <p><strong>Susan Danzinger, East Lansing/Michigan Elite: </strong>Danzinger had crisp passing in 6-on-6 play, allowing her squads to stay in system and get high-percentage possessions.</p> <p><strong>Julia Blaney, Saline/Legacy: </strong>Like Hannah, Julia was routine with her effort and passing. She put herself in the right spot most of the time and took on some big attacks.</p> <p><strong>Samantha Schaub, Traverse City West/North Shore: </strong>Schaub didn’t have a lot of wasted movement, getting to her spots and being in position to make the dig or proper pass.</p>