2024 Club Preview: Michigan Elite 18 Mizuno/18 Elite

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like that, club season is upon us!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another incredible high school season, this club season is proving to be another big one for Michigan-based club teams. In 2023, we saw national champions be crowned as well as many top finishes from all ages from these prestigious clubs. It's time to look to the future and see what these clubs have in store for us in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the west side to the east, let's take a look at what Michigan Elite has cooking up with their 18 Mizuno and 18 Elite squads this club season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18 Mizuno</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] - North Branch</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] - Plymouth Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard'] - Marysville</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'] - Dakota</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='172209' first='Karley' last='Pretzer'] - Dakota</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz'] - Marian</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] - Pewamo-Westphalia</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin'] - Pewamo-Westphalia</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='459259' first='Lydia' last='Michelin'] - Milford</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HC: <strong>Vince Muscat</strong>; AC: <strong>Erin Craggs</strong></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going into the 18s club season, this is a squad with a big question mark around them. While throughout the last few seasons, we have yet to see this team operate at full-strength given a tough go with injuries. This season however, it's practically a brand new team. From last year, only four players return. The rest join the squad either in-house, other club transfers or brand new kids with little club experience. Let's take a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the power on the pins, the only familiar face to this team is [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] (Cedarville) on the left side. Not only is Pilat one of the four returners, but she's actually one of only three players to have stuck with this group throughout her career. A 6'2 giant with a heavy ball, Pilat can be as terminal as the top dogs in the field. She'll be looked to heavily throughout her last go-around with Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out this trio of traditional pins, Michigan Elite calls up a pair of outsides that found great success last year on their 17 Elite squad. [player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172209' first='Karley' last='Pretzer'] (Davenport) were the dynamic duo in last year's 17 Elite squad that found themselves with a bid to GJNC in the 17 National division. The pair, while undersized at 5'10, jump very well off of the court and hone in on incredible ball control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These three will surely find themselves in the mix on the court to a high success rate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like the pins, we see only one middle return to this group. [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'] (Grand Valley) is another one of those core four returners from a season ago. Tillman is coming off of a very strong high school season alongside Pretzer at Dakota HS. She's arguably one of the top blockers in this Michigan class and will be looked to carry a lot more than net defense duties throughout her 18s season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here come the newbies. Not only are these two newbies to Michigan Elite, but they're genuinely newbies to club volleyball. [player_tooltip player_id='459259' first='Lydia' last='Michelin'] (Miami (OH)) and [player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin'] complete this trio of middle blockers for Elite. Michelin got a little taste of club last season with the Forge 18s team that competed in open last year. An athletic body, she managed to grab the attention of Miami (OH). While still quite raw, Michelin could turn into a real powerhouse for the Red Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Martin, this is a player very new to the club season. In fact, Martin has been one of the top track and field prospects in the 2024 class for quite sometime. In her sophomore year, she was crowned a double state champ in both the 100m and 300m Hurdles. Meanwhile, her freshman year saw her take runner-up and bronze in the events. She's also a part of that famous 2022 Division 3 State Champion Pewamo-Westphalia group as well. Needless to say, Martin oozes of athleticism and with a pure focus on the volleyball courts, she too could be a big steal for any program. She can be seen mostly on the right side for Elite this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On trend, Elite returns a major piece to their puzzle in each position. [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] (Wingate) returns for one last go-around in the MiElite jersey. Green is coming off of a huge high school season. Not only did Green charged the North Branch Broncos to their second consecutive title, but she made history. This was the first time any North Branch team would go back-to-back. On top of this, Green announced she would be playing for Wingate in the fall of 2024. One of the top programs in NCAA Division II Volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Changing gears this season and joining Green in the back court, [player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard'] also returns. While historically, Woodard has been the one running the offense for Elite, this season will see Woodard shift gears to show off her defensive skills. This will be no adjustment to Woodard, as she is easily one of the top defensive players in the state. Regardless of position. This past fall for Marysville, Woodard managed to put up over 450 digs while running a 5-1 offense. Marysville was regarded as one of the top teams alongside North Branch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out this team's roster, we have another newbie to the group. This is another Pewamo-Westphalia product, [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] (Eastern Michigan). Smith comes to Elite by way of Five:1, where she has spent the majority of her club career prior. A move that bodes Elite well however given her size and athleticism. This could be a game changer for this team. With her size and abilities to run a championship winning offense, Smith could be an X factor throughout the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18 Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='153664' first='Jackie' last='Scheiber'] - Riverview</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500646' first='Brooke' last='Gervers']</strong> - Grand Blanc</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446003' first='Arielle' last='Newsome'] </strong>- West Bloomfield</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500649' first='Gabrielle' last='Gippert']</strong> - Bloomfield Hills</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='219684' first='Kora' last='Nicolanti'] - Bloomfield Hills</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500648' first='Kate' last='Noe'] </strong>- Grand Blanc</td></tr><tr><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500651' first='Ava' last='Orlando']</strong> - Romeo</td><td><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500652' first='Gracie' last='Pierscinski']</strong> - Linden</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HC: <strong>Laine Sterling</strong>; AC: <strong>Anj Kaminski</strong></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like 18 Mizuno, 18 Elite is going to be looking MUCH different from last year's 17 Elite squad. In fact, this squad has zero returners from last year's team. It all consists of new faces. 18 Elite brings a good mix of both in-house talent and others to join. Let's take a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the pins may be a little slim, Elite brings in a pair of really well-rounded players to keep the game going. [player_tooltip player_id='219684' first='Kora' last='Nicolanti'] (Adrian) and [player_tooltip player_id='500648' first='Kate' last='Noe'] join this team as new faces. Nicolanti comes way of Unified VBC and Noe is an in-house player. The two both consist of really promising ball control to go along with smart scoring. The two are coming off of exciting high school seasons. Nicolanti saw herself as a six rotation player for Bloomfield Hills, one of the top dark horses in Division I. Meanwhile Noe was a shining star for Grand Blanc in their post-Remi Madison era. She also proved to be a critical piece in 17 National East's gold bracket finish at AAU Nationals last summer. This duo will do a lot of heavy lifting for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, Elite brings on some exciting talent that could throw many opponents for a loop. Looking at some in-house talent, this group brings on [player_tooltip player_id='446003' first='Arielle' last='Newsome'] and Gracie Piercinski. Both come way from Michigan Elite's 3's teams from a season ago. With Newsome playing down with 16 National East and Piercinski on 17 NW. The two players were some of the top players in their respective groups at the end of the season. Newsome and Piercinski both play the game in a very dynamic way. With the ability to reach different shots on offense and read the opposing offense, the duo will be a great combo for 18 Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining this middle territory, we get another Bloomfield Hills/Unified product, [player_tooltip player_id='500649' first='Gabrielle' last='Gippert']. This is an exciting piece to the puzzle given her size and raw nature. Gippert stands at nearly 6'4 with an elongated wingspan. She could easily be a power player in the middle or even more so on the right pin given her size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bringing on another new piece to the puzzle, we have [player_tooltip player_id='500651' first='Ava' last='Orlando'] coming in to libero for this squad. An athlete by the way of Romeo/Monsters VBC, Orlando will look to step in and make immediate impact for her new squad. Orlando is a calm presence on the court with a steady touch on the ball. An attribute that'll surely feed in well with all of the newness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And completing this 18 Elite group, we have ourselves a pair of setters. [player_tooltip player_id='153664' first='Jackie' last='Scheiber'] (Saginaw Valley) and [player_tooltip player_id='500646' first='Brooke' last='Gervers'] will be in charge of running the offense here. A projected 6-2 scenario, the two will split time running the offense while being a part of it themselves. For Scheiber, this is nothing new as she has been somewhat of a utility player for the bulk of her career for Elite and Riverview. For Gervers, she has primarily been a part of 6-2 systems given her size, but the way she runs the offense, she could make a great six rotation setting option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->