Michigan Athletes Take on USA NTDP

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>_{Be sure to follow <strong>@lshotvb </strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!}</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only the best and brightest get the call! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As part of a quarterly training blocking put on by the newly formed USA National Training Development Program, only the best of the best get the invited. For the spring block, nearly 240 athletes from around the country received an invite to the prestigious training camp. This block will be hosted in the nation's capital, Washington D.C., and host these athletes for this coming weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best that the Mitten state has to offer will make their way down to D.C. to train amongst some of the best, by some of the best. Bringing in six players for the U15/U17 training block from Michigan, the NDTP will feature three liberos and three attackers spanning from three different clubs, FaR Out, Michigan Elite and Legacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":354132,"width":274,"height":182,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/mckenna-payne.jpeg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']" class="wp-image-354132" width="274" height="182" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">USA NTDP Invitees</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the 'bros, USAV invited Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno's [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'], Legacy 16-1 Adidas' <strong>Devin Dzienny</strong> and FaR Out 15 Black's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261193' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payne has been a critical cog in the success of both Michigan Elite and SMCC. A two-time first-team All-State performer, she's touted as one of the top 'bros in her class. Dzienny is an honorary member of Mitten state by way of Legacy, but plays her HS ball St. Ursula Academy out of Toledo. Dzienny is a national champion with Legacy and is on the hunt for a repeat this summer. Meanwhile Johnson is the young pup of the group. Only as an eighth grader, this is Johnson's second year playing at the 15 Open age group. Johnson remains a top libero in the higher age groups year after year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the attackers, USAV invited FaR Out 18 Black's [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'], Legacy 16-1 Adidas' [player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] and 15-1 Adidas' [player_tooltip player_id='226886' first='Gabby' last='DiVita'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":204037,"width":155,"height":207,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/06/FAR-OUT-15AA.jpeg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-204037" width="155" height="207" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gauthier has become the premier outside hitter from Michigan. Only 16, Gauthier is playing up a few years with 18 Black, and doing quite well. This past fall with Shelby HS, Gauthier amassed over 800 kills, leading the entire state in total kills. Grenadier and Divita, alongside Dzienny, are both national champions from a season ago. Grenadier is one of the top middle blockers and ranks sixth overall in the Michigan 2025 rankings. Divita is touted as one of the top prospects in the country for the 2026 group. All three, Gauthier, Grenadier and Divita, were named AAU All-Americans last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Congratulations to all of these athletes on their invitation. We want to wish all of them the best of luck!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->