Club Breakdown: Michigan Elite 17 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>Similar to their 16 Elite squad, their 17 Elite team looks to be a really dangerous one to watch in the premier division this season. This team has a much different look than last season, upgrading in much of the court. They're coming off of a really nice showing at Central Zone, a good start to a potentially big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory']</td><td>5'11 OPP</td><td>North Branch</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='222364' first='Trista' last='Ameel']</td><td>5'10 L</td><td>Romeo</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='172209' first='Karley' last='Pretzer']</td><td>5'9 OH</td><td>Dakota</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='172201' first='Margaret' last='Hilliard']</td><td>6'3 S</td><td>Cranbrook</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz']</td><td>5'11 OH/MB</td><td>Marian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='153671' first='Molly' last='Edmunds']</td><td>5'8 S</td><td>Trenton</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110317' first='Courtney' last='Pelon']</td><td>5'6 L</td><td>St. Catherine</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='153678' first='Alexis' last='Norman']</td><td>6'0 MB</td><td>Lapeer</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='261138' first='Delaney' last='Zielke']</td><td>5'11 MB</td><td>Notre Dame Prep</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As noted, this team is off to a real hot start. Going 5 and 1 at Central Zone, Michigan Elite 17 Elite finished fifth in their first outing of the season. They bring on a lot of exciting talent to a team that returns some strong pieces. Something to note too, this fifth place finish was without some members of the team due to injuries. If this first tournament is any indication, 17 Elite could be a top team in premier!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264865,"width":199,"height":149,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/128-Margaret-Hilliard.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264865" width="199" height="149" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172201' first='Margaret' last='Hilliard']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Returners</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From last year's group, 17 Elite returns the likes of S [player_tooltip player_id='172201' first='Margaret' last='Hilliard'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='172209' first='Karley' last='Pretzer'] and OH/MB [player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz']. Hilliard is a formidable force at the setter position, standing at 6'3. A big blocker and a dangerous dump on two, Hilliard looked a lot more smooth since I saw her last summer. Pretzer is a long-time member to this team. An undersized, but springy attacker, Pretzer seems to have added a little bit more bang to her buck when it comes to her overall game this season. Rounding out the crew, Mertz came onto this team late last season and has been on the upward since. Mertz has a really strong arm that can terminate on the pins or in the middle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another returner to Michigan Elite is [player_tooltip player_id='153678' first='Alexis' last='Norman']. Last year, Norman played up with 16 Mizuno for a little bit, but a torn labrum early on saw her sidelined for the remainder of her club season. Norman is back and gives this team a lot of stability in the middle. A strong blocker and developing attacker, Norman will be huge for this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>New Kids on the Block</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":277461,"width":204,"height":195,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/10-Kaela-Chingwa-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory']" class="wp-image-277461" width="204" height="195" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's check out some of these newbies! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the biggest stock risers from the fall season come onto this team and are already proving their worth off the bat. A duo of attackers join forces from rivaling programs, OPP [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] from North Branch and MB [player_tooltip player_id='261138' first='Delaney' last='Zielke'] from Notre Dame Prep. These two may be rivals in the fall season, but will be such huge compliments to each other throughout the club season. Gyomory went from falling under the radar to being atop the scouting report this fall and she's only getting better. Zielke seemingly came out of nowhere. Hops for days, Zielke knows how to fly up into the clouds before bringing down the hammer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the net play seems to be pretty solid for this squad, now who's manning the back court? [player_tooltip player_id='222364' first='Trista' last='Ameel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110317' first='Courtney' last='Pelon'] will be the two defensive specialists for 17 Elite. I got to get a little taste of Ameel's game at the Prep Dig Top 250 in December and was very impressed. Her and Pelon's chemistry is really strong from the looks at Central Zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out this roster comes some more stability at the setter's position with Trenton's [player_tooltip player_id='153671' first='Molly' last='Edmunds']. Edmunds is in her first club outing this season with Michigan Elite and is looking to fit in quite well to the high level game. Her and Hilliard's setting compliment each other very nicely and makes for a very nice offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->