Club Breakdown: Michigan Elite 16 Elite

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The club season has officially begun and we are off to the races in 2023!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Michigan has quickly become one of the top hot beds of volleyball in the nation. Prep Dig has you covered on who's who and what names you need to keep on your radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan Elite really has something good cooking over here. From top to bottom, this club brings the best year and year out, this may be their best yet. As good as their 16 Mizuno squad is, 16 Elite is pretty elite too! With a heavy mix of returners from last year, this team could do very well in the Premier divisions throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Liliana Smith</strong></td><td>5'9 UT</td><td>Flushing</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156316' first='Natalia' last='Malewicz']</td><td>5'10 OH</td><td>Henry Ford</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='224603' first='Anna' last='Rich']</td><td>5'10 S/OPP</td><td>Troy</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='261215' first='Zoe' last='Goodwin']</td><td>5'4 L</td><td>Dakota</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova']</td><td>5'10 OH/MB</td><td>Rochester Adams</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='261176' first='Kendall' last='Williams']</td><td>6'0 MB</td><td>Grand Blanc</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288961' first='Mallory' last='McFarlane']</td><td>5'7 L</td><td>Saline</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156328' first='Samantha' last='Roffi']</td><td>5'7 S</td><td>Garden City</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout']</td><td>6'1 MB</td><td>Dakota</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='191749' first='Abigail' last='Wutka']</td><td>5'10 OH</td><td>Dakota</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As 15s, this group did very well. This class of 2025s is just too good! Finishing amongst the top 25 in the 15 Premier division last year at AAU Nationals, this team looks quite a bit different. For the better? I think so. They return a strong crew from the squad last season, while bringing on some tough pieces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's check it out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>The Trio from 15 Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As alluded to, this team has a trio of returners who knows what it takes to be big in the big moments. Of those returners include L [player_tooltip player_id='288961' first='Mallory' last='McFarlane'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='191749' first='Abigail' last='Wutka'] and S [player_tooltip player_id='156328' first='Samantha' last='Roffi']. McFarlane comes into her 16s season with some nice headlines in her name. While a starting libero for Saline Junior Varsity for the bulk of her sophomore season, McFarlane got the call up to Varsity in time for playoffs. Needless to say, she answered the call better than anyone could. Thrown into the state semifinal match, McFarlane, an immediate target for Northville, was tough as nails. On 12 attempts, passed over a 2.5, nearly propelling Saline to a title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264828,"width":211,"height":153,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/84-Katerina-Stout.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'] " class="wp-image-264828" width="211" height="153" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for the other two, these are superbly strong pieces as well. Wutka's game has been developing nicely over the last few months and will surely continue. Roffi returns as one of three potential setters for this group. She has a great sense for the offense, but can also double as an impact defensive specialist too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Big, New Additions</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Elite is bringing on some serious size to the net this season. Getting a strong double dose of 6'1, long wing-spanned middles, this could be fun. First on the list, [player_tooltip player_id='261176' first='Kendall' last='Williams']. Coming out of an emerging Grand Blanc program, Williams had some serious shining moments in the fall. She's great coming off one foot and creates a lot of problems with her blocking. Opposite her comes in [player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'], one of three Dakota kids on this roster, Stout is a dangerous prospect to watch for. Oozing with athleticism, Stout can crank on just about any ball you throw up to her. I watched her this past weekend at Central Zone and had my jaw on the floor after seeing her storm out of the pipe in her serving rotation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While not so big in size, these addition is pretty big. [player_tooltip player_id='261215' first='Zoe' last='Goodwin'] rounds out the Dakota girls and brings some great depth to the pass and defense side of this team. Seeing Goodwin at the Top 250 Expo in December, she has an incredible ceiling. [player_tooltip player_id='156316' first='Natalia' last='Malewicz'] will one to watch out on the pins. An impact sub for last year's 15 Mizuno squad that finished third at nationals, Malewicz comes with a lot of high level exposure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":271072,"width":235,"height":156,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Tina-Barnekova.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova']" class="wp-image-271072" width="235" height="156" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>They Can Do it All!</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, let's talk about these other additions coming to Michigan Elite. This group of kids can quite literally do it all. Throw them anywhere along the net, they'll score! Have them set? Sure thing. Alongside Malewicz, [player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova'] returns to MiElite way of 15 Mizuno last season. Mostly seeing time in the middle, Barnekova brings a lot of heat on the pins as well. Barnekova's great versatility gives coach, Mallory Kopa, a lot of wiggle room. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, these next two names are brand new to Elite.<strong> Liliana Smith</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='224603' first='Anna' last='Rich'] round out this trio of versatile dynamos and the trio of potential setters for this team. If you don't find them on the floor setting, you might see them knocking down points on the pins. Or, you may even see Smith doing some passing. The possibilities are endless with this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->