Club Breakdown: Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno

<!-- 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>16 Mizuno is one of the top returning teams in the entire country. After a third place finish at AAU Nationals, this team has only gotten better. Easily a national contender early in the season, let's take a look at what Michigan Elite has cooking up with 16 Mizuno.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>16 Mizuno</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='224602' first='Kennedi' last='Miller']</td><td>6'3 MB</td><td>Lake Orion</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt']</td><td>5'9 OH/DS</td><td>Clarkston</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski']</td><td>6'2 OPP</td><td>South Lyon East</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']</td><td>6'1 OH</td><td>Marian</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson']</td><td>6'1 MB</td><td>South Lyon East</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash']</td><td>6'1 MB</td><td>Cass City</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] </td><td>5'11 OH</td><td>St. Mary Catholic Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs']</td><td>5'9 S</td><td>Northville</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='Mckenna' last='Payne']</td><td>5'7 L</td><td>St. Mary Catholic Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='161657' first='Sophia' last='Barber']</td><td>6'0 OH</td><td>Marian</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Mizuno is one of the top returning teams in the country from a season ago. This squad just narrowly missed out on a championship appearance at AAU Nationals and finished Top 15 at USAV Nationals in the 15 Open division. They return nearly everybody from a season ago and brings on some top notch talent. This team is already a heavy favorite for a national title this summer coming off of a hot 2022 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":298699,"width":-294,"height":-441,"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/DSC00344.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']" class="wp-image-298699" width="-294" height="-441" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Returners</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan Elite returns a strong trio of hitters at the net including OPP [player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] and OH [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']. Babinski saw her stock surge through the roof last season after moving over to the right pin. With a heavy arm and a strong block, Babinski can do a lot of damage. On the left pin, the duo of Costlow and Busignani will be amongst the top in the entire country. Costlow spent a majority of her time as a six rotation middle last season. With some elite level ball control, Costlow can soar through the air, floating, before bringing down the thunder. Busignani is coming into 2023 off of a gigantic 2022. After her All-American season in club, Busignani led Marian to their third straight Division 1 title after earning First Team All-State honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Topping off the returning quintet includes S [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] and L [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='Mckenna' last='Payne']. Craggs is one of the top setters out of Michigan. Following an All-American campaign and pacing this team to a third place finish at nationals, Craggs ran the Northville Mustangs all the way to a state championship game this fall. Payne is the leader of the defense for this squad. She's another top prospect in her respective position and had another strong high school season with SMCC. Payne reads the game at a high level and will be crucial for this team in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>New Kids on the Block</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the returners to the newbies, Michigan Elite has restocked and reloaded with some of the hottest talent in the state. They bring on a deep bench of middles while adding some strong depth to their passing line up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264811,"width":193,"height":155,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/65-Lauren-Johnson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264811" width="193" height="155" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On that deep bench of middles include [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'], [player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='224602' first='Kennedi' last='Miller']. Ignash is coming off an insane season with Cass City, leading the Hawks to their first ever state semifinal. She's a monster off of one foot and has developed quite nicely as a blocker. As perfect of an M1 as Ignash is, Johnson is the perfect M2. She has loaded springs coming off two feet with a live arm and strong blocking. Miller comes in as a strong blocker already, standing at 6'3, she's a natural. Her offense will surely develop quite a bit throughout the club season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, adding some depth to the back line and across the net are UT [player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'] and OH [player_tooltip player_id='161657' first='Sophia' last='Barber']. Newblatt is as well rounded as they come. An elite passer that can also crank the ball, Newblatt has some nice hands as well. Her versatility gives Coach <strong>Neil Rucinski </strong>plenty of options to run with. Barber is a recent addition to the team from Indiana. A strong six rotation option on the pin, Barber has a high level passing game and can be a key scorer as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->