2025 Club Preview: Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>Just over six months ago, this was a team that had everyone on high alert after an impressive outing at AAU Nationals. In the 16 Open Division, as 16 Mizuno, this squad had upended one of the top seeded teams in the tournament to go a golden 3-0 on Day 1. They'd go on to finish top 20 in the tournament.</p>   <p>This year's team however has a much different look than years past. They return a strong core of returners but add on an impressive slate of newbies to the club that will surely elevate the level of play. 17 Mizuno will look to capitalize on a mcuh stronger middle presence and hone in on one of the nation's top setters in a 5-1 system.</p>   <p>2025 marks another season with HC Jaison 'Faisa' George at the helm and also marks the return of 2017 MiElite alum and current North Branch assistant, <strong>Madee Miner </strong>at assistant coach. Miner returns to Michigan Elite after leading Campbell University to a conference championship and NCAA tournament berth her senior year. Since then, she has helped lead North Branch to two state titles as a coach, matching her two state titles as a player. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] - Imlay City</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] - St. Mary Catholic Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='569764' first='Amani' last='Agoot'] - West Bloomfield</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226906' first='Reagan' last='Lesley'] - Chippewa Valley</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] - Plymouth Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow'] - Romeo</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226884' first='Faith' last='Cullen'] - Brighton</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] - North Branch</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226897' first='Charlotte' last='Gramzow'] - Lutheran Northwest</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'] - Bedford</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Core</h2>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Tempo</h4>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/DSC04062.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-749904" style="width:186px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling']</figcaption></figure>   <p>For the last few years, this team has become accustomed to the 6-2 system with two setters. This season will look a bit different with [player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] (Wake Forest) at the forefront. For the last two seasons, Keeping has been an integral part of the offense as well as running it. Despite moving into a single-setter system, Keeping should still be able to keep that offensive nature. As a high-jumping, left-handed hitter, this is a cheat code for setters. It also gives the entire team a new look having consistency on second contact and one that's able to attack on two.</p>   <p>Keeping is joined by returning attackers, [player_tooltip player_id='226906' first='Reagan' last='Lesley'], [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat']. All three attackers have found themselves on the left or right pin at one point or another throughout the 16s season. In fact, both Lesley and Pilat have lengthy experience playing in the middle, as well! </p>   <p>With all this potential to move players around, it gives 17 Mizuno a lot of options. Lesley looks to be a player that you can't take out of the front court in one capacity or another. Lesley is really finding another level in her elevation and is developing a heavy arm. Her ability to act as somewhat of an attacking utility will be a secret weapon for this team in crunch time. </p>   <p>Dettling is another player that looks quite comfortable swinging anywhere. She's seen a lot of action on the right pin the last few high school seasons and she can be quite terminal over there. Dettling is a silent assassin on the court. When everything is connecting, Dettling can be a ruthless opponent. She's also coming off of a State Championship season this past fall which should bode well for conifdence.</p>   <p>Pilat can also maneuver around the court rather comfortably. One area that I wouldn't be surprised to see her spend a lot of time this season is in the back court. Pilat has really come on strong throughout the last year or so in her first contact and defense. Like her libero, Gramzow, Pilat has a bit of length on her side, standing at 5'11. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Defending the Back</h4>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/DSC04057.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-749905" style="width:201px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226897' first='Charlotte' last='Gramzow'] </figcaption></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='226897' first='Charlotte' last='Gramzow'] (Northern Illinois) found herself cemented into the libero position after her 16s season. Gramzow challenges many of her teammates as one of the tallest players on the team, which means she is probably one of the lengthiest 'bros in the 2026 class. This length is used quite successfully to her advantage. Gramzow owns quite a bit of land in the back court and she's only becoming more agile as she grows in the position. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Injury Reserve</h4>   <p>Unfortunately, the injury bug has caught this team early on. [player_tooltip player_id='226884' first='Faith' last='Cullen'] rounds out the roster of returners, but it may be awhile until we see her back in action. Back in August of the high school season, Cullen would suffer a knee injury that would see her out for the entirety of the fall. By the initial outlooks, we may not see Cullen on the court until May at the earliest. Full strength, probably not until the upcoming fall. </p>   <p>Despite this, Cullen was playing some of her best ball in the latter parts of the club season in 2024. Transitioning to a much larger defensive role, Cullen found a lot of success with her quick twitch nature and IQ. We're excited to see the return of Cullen to the volleyball courts, soon!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Welcome the Newbies</h2>   <p>17 Mizuno is getting a whole new look in 2025. They have a brand new look in the middle and some added depth on the pins. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/DSC04038.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-749907" style="width:192px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='569764' first='Amani' last='Agoot']</figcaption></figure>   <p>In the middle, Michigan Elite welcomes both [player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'] (Loyola Chicago) and [player_tooltip player_id='569764' first='Amani' last='Agoot'] to the club. Monahan has been a steady stock-riser over the last 18 months or so. She would lead her last club to their first ever top ten finish at nationals, while playing up an age division. She then has been finding a ton of success in the high school scene. This past fall, Monahan led Bedford in both blocks and kills on the season.</p>   <p>Alongside Monahan, Agoot is an excited add on that has really fallen under the radar until recently. This is an extremely athletic product out of West Bloomfield. She's jumping around the 10 foot range and has a lot of untapped potential. </p>   <p>On the pins, Mizuno adds both [player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] (Wofford) and [player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow'] to the mix. Deshetsky is coming off of a historic fall with North Branch. Not only would she lead the state in overall kills, but she would rank second nationally in total kills and shatter a school record with 937 kills. </p>   <p>Rosenow also saw herself with a bit of a breakout season, acting as the leading force for Romeo. With MiElite, she has shown signs of a major ceiling. As she gets more comfortable with the speed of the open level, Rosenow could be an impact for this group. Both of these players bring a lot of depth. Not only with their offense, but their first contact could prove pivotal in Elite's season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Expectations on the Season</h2>   <p>17 Mizuno is a team that has a lot of potential. They have the pieces it takes to be a major power player at the open level. At Central Zone, this group had a bit of an underwhelming first outing. However, it is important to note how new this team really is. New system and a bulk of new players, some of which are playing at the top level for the first time. As the tournament went on, the stronger this team got. The quick turn around shows a lot of promise for what's to come. </p>   <p>This group will look to make an impression and confirm their growth at the highly coveted, Triple Crown Invitational. While this team has a few names called for, a majority of this line up features uncommitted potential. Be sure to check them out if you're in Kansas City. </p>

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