2023 Club Profile: Michigan Elite 18 Mizuno

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan Elite is off to an active start to the 2023 club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Its 18 Mizuno squad has already logged a couple of events and developing some chemistry with its talented squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what this group brings to the table for this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Michigan Elite 18 Mizuno</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":296256,"width":358,"height":238,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC09127.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-296256" width="358" height="238" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is going to rely heavily on setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa'] </strong>(Kentucky). The SEC-bound Sarafa is fresh off a third state championship with Marian during the prep season and has the ability to run a fast and complex offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarafa will be mixing it up with some new hitters this club season, but she still has some familiar faces in outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66316' first='Remi' last='Madison'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152524' first='Molly' last='Banta']</strong>. Banta has played with Sarafa at Marian, while Madison has been a consistent force on the outside for Michigan Elite over the years. The team also is mixing in <strong>Quinn Robak</strong> (Winona State) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173600' first='Sawyer' last='Jones']</strong> this year. Robak is a 6-foot, multi-sport talent that has great coordination and explosion on the court. Jones can shift to the middle or the outside and brings a lot of power at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other middle options this year will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66334' first='Neele'ge'' last='Sims'] </strong>(Missouri State), and 2025 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray']</strong>. Sims is a 6'1” option that is looking to add nuances to her game before heading off to college. Gray, a 6'2” middle in the 2025 class is coming off a prep season with 172 blocks and 319 kills for Bedford. She's a dominant presence at the net that should benefit greatly from playing up in competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Michigan Elite has steady and scrappy depth behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66297' first='Kalliann' last='Cook'] </strong>(Austin Peay), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'] </strong>(Northern Iowa) and <strong>Hannah Howard</strong>. Cook has been one of the best defenders in the state throughout her prep career. Rice is coming off a big fall where she helped Northville to the Division 1 state final. Howard comes from St. Ursula Academy in Toledo. She was the TRAC All-Conference Player of the Year this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through two events this season, Michigan Elite is 6-6. Coached by Vince Muscat, Michigan Elite is most recently coming off an 11^th place showing in the 18 Open of the Windy City Qualifier. They went 3-4, with three losses coming in three sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad looks to be pretty well balanced around the court and will look to push the pace. If they can play as fast as they would like, they can make some noise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->