2023 Club Profile: L2 181 And 182

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The L2 Volleyball Club enters 2023 with a lot of growth from its first year in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, L2 features multiple national teams at each age level, with three teams in the case of the 17s-15s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their crop at the 18s level is quite interesting, as it includes a great mix of college talent and players looking to prove themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>L2 181</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":220220,"width":251,"height":341,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/08/Oxford-quad-18-scaled.jpg?w=752" alt="" class="wp-image-220220" width="251" height="341" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='66303' first='Paige' last='Giehtbrock']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eric Lindstrom will be coaching this team with the focus on bringing added dimensions to each player's game during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One strength you should see right away is that this team will be very strong defensively and with its ball control. The team is loaded with defensive talent, highlighted by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent'] </strong>(Alabama) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66305' first='Lauren' last='Heming']</strong>. Both have been among the best at their position throughout their prep career. Berent comes from the Notre Dame Prep program that has produced multiple D1 college liberos. Heming has guided Marian to three consecutive Division 1 state titles as the team's libero. Both have plenty of confidence and play with a lot of energy and determination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At setter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66304' first='Megan' last='Grose'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66300' first='Paige' last='Elliott']</strong> both can run the offense, but also have the ability to move around the court. Grose is a proven hitter as well, while Elliott has been able to excel in the back row during her prep career at Detroit Country Day as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's squad also adds some more power to the offense, which certainly will help it be a tough out in the Open Division. Lansing Catholic's <strong>Emi Gulock</strong> is a 6-foot middle that can also play on the right side, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='293415' first='Reese' last='Williams']</strong> is a 6'1” middle from Howell and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108764' first='Rachel' last='Steele'] </strong>is a 6'1” option at either pin. She's coming off a strong year with Eaton Rapids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team also brought in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66303' first='Paige' last='Giehtbrock'] </strong>(Rider) a do-everything outside with a balanced game that brings another solid passer to the mix. <strong>Maria Trevino Nunez </strong>is also an outside/DS option. The 6-footer from Stoney Creek can generate a lot of power and moves well around the court. <strong>Ayla Dunbar </strong>is another outside with a great defensive game that L2 can move around in the lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their first outing, they placed 25^th in the 18 Open of the Windy City Qualifier. They picked up three wins, including grinding out a pair of three-set victories. As this team develops chemistry and finds some consistent hitting, it should be able to compete and upset some teams in the 18 Open division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>L2 182</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Woo will be coaching this squad of hungry players that are looking to make some noise this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team will face some challenges in regard to size at the net. They do have 6'1” OH/RS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230898' first='Lauren' last='MacKellar'] </strong>to help lead the way, along with 6'1” middle <strong>Megan Jagst</strong>. MacKellar is coming off a strong season with D1 runner-up Northville this fall. Jagst was a real blocking force for Brighton during the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Teachout </strong>of Howell will be another pin option, while <strong>Ruby Earl </strong>of Howell can play outside or fit in as a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense should be a strength of this squad as well. <strong>Cazzi Smith </strong>of Saline, <strong>Rylie Wright </strong>of Gabriel Richard and <strong>Alexis Barber </strong>of Milford can all contribute in the back row and will help keep this team in-system to develop their hitting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln's <strong>Lainey Todd </strong>and Okemos' <strong>Alison Pignataro </strong>will be the setting options, while Todd can also move to the OPP for L2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team will be competing in the Premier Division for the most part during the season. They opened play at the Windy City Qualifier last week and went 1-6 in the 18 USA Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the record, L2 was competitive throughout the weekend. It went three sets in three of their losses, while had four other sets lost by five points or less.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->