Program Cup Takeaways & Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend, Michigan Elite held the Program Cup, featuring 12 programs from the varsity to freshmen levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Marian came away as champions at the varsity level, it was Brighton that prevailed as the overall Program champions, putting up the best collective effort between its three teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was some solid play on display, especially at the varsity level. Here's what I took away from the top squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs continued their unbeaten season on Saturday with five wins on the day, including a 25-22, 25-19 win over Clarkston and a 25-5, 25-19 win over Grand Blanc during Gold pool play. Marian had stretches where it looked simply unbeatable. However, they also had stretches where they showed some of their inexperience at key positions. Marian can still be relentless with its array of hitters, as the Mustangs keep coming at their opponents. Their finishing rate just isn't as consistent thus far into the 2022 season as it was a year ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa'] </strong>still is as good as they come at the setter position. She's spreading the ball well and always putting up a perfect set for her hitters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']</strong> is a very promising 2025 outside. She's got all the intangibles to be great and is leading the team in kills thus far. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66330' first='Ella' last='Schomer'] </strong>is her usual rock steady offensively and defensively. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152524' first='Molly' last='Banta'] </strong>is proving to be a big breakout hitting option as well. In the middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108790' first='Mckenzie' last='Swanson'] </strong>is a towering force that is disrupting a lot of opposing hitters, while hitting over .400 offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves went 4-1 on the day with their lone loss coming against Marian in a competitive effort. Clarkston was without <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan']</strong>, one of their most explosive hitters, but still showed great balance on offense and defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66303' first='Paige' last='Giehtbrock']</strong> continues to look sharp in all areas. Her hitting technique was already strong, but she's improving a lot defensively and has shown some great attacks from the back row. <strong>Annabelle Keller </strong>had some strong stretches at the net as well. She came through with some great finishes during close sets to push Clarkston over the edge. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156298' first='Chloe' last='Giehtbrock']</strong> also took on a bigger role Saturday and showed her progress. The sophomore brings a wide skillset to the court and has a high ceiling for upcoming seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Grand Blanc</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bobcats played with as much swagger as I have seen out of them this weekend. With good reason as well. Grand Blanc earned a solid 29-27, 25-21 win over Dakota during pool play to boost it to the Gold pool. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66316' first='Remi' last='Madison'] </strong>was doing what she always does and making some highlight-reel attacks while being a vocal leader on the floor. The team really fed off her energy. Her supporting cast really stepped up on Saturday. <strong>Laila Bates </strong>was a reliable finisher at the pin, while also making some outstanding defensive plays. Bates made a dig while doing the splits that looked completely effortless for her. Setter <strong>Skylar Cramer</strong> was putting both hitters in positions to finish and setting a nice ball for her middles as well. If Grand Blanc can tap into what it had on Saturday more often, the Bobcats can definitely be a contender in D1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Other Standouts</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108718' first='Erin' last='Madigan'], S Dakota: </strong>Dakota has a lot of talented weapons on offense, with a lot of size. It's up to Madigan to get the ball to the right places and she does that very well. The Cougars will need her to continue to play at a high level if they hope to make a deep postseason run this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110298' first='Lea' last='Gage'], S Brighton: </strong>Gage was very impressive. She was playing everywhere on the floor and doing it at a high level. Her sets were precise, she mixed up her swings on her attacks, and she was a quick and explosive defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgann King, MH Davison: </strong>King was a great effort player. One play in particular, she sprawled to the ground to make a dig, then quickly got up and raced to the net for a point-ending block. She was putting in the work all day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jennifer Bricker, MH Troy: </strong>Bricker is a long middle that was able to get her hands on a lot of opposing attacks and make life easier for her defenders. She also put down some eye-opening kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108717' first='Katie' last='Smith'], OH Eisenhower: </strong>Smith was finishing from the front and back row, while making good adjustments to out-of-system balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110329' first='Hannah' last='Tymitz'], MH Romeo: </strong>Tymitz was very active at the net. Her effort led to a number of Romeo points. She's going to keep grinding and making plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kayla Nwabueze, OH Bloomfield Hills: </strong>The freshman shows a lot of promise. As she sharpens her technique and gets more reps, she's likely to become a dominant player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddie Wienke, OH Riverview: </strong>Wienke was taking solid swings from each pin and playing with a lot of enthusiasm and effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->