2021 standouts from the Motor City Showcase

The Class of 2021 is a very deep talent pool in the state of Michigan and a lot of the top names were on hand for the Motor City Showcase last Friday at Ultimate Soccer in Pontiac. In front of a number of college coaches from around the Great Lakes area, here’s some players that shined during the showcase.   Outside Hitters Madison Grace, Fraser/Legacy: Grace put up a 9’8” approach touch at the showcase and that led to some impressive kills in scrimmage action. Grace plays well above the net and can bring the hammer. Mikayla Haut, SMCC/Michigan Elite: Haut is just a natural all-around talent. She is a six-rotation player that looks calm and comfortable in every aspect of the game. Ellie Tisko, Mercy/Michigan Elite: Tisko is someone that can play any position at the net and succeed. She showed great consistency throughout the showcase. Lauren Staruch, Lake Orion/Unified: Staruch is a player with potential. Her footwork could use some work, but she was still very effective with her swings. As she continues to develop, she will be a big-time finisher. Peyton Bartnikowski, Valley Lutheran/Michigan Elite: Standing just 5-7, Barnitkowski plays above her size, but her passing and serve receive was really impressive. Milan Lee, Academy of the Sacred Heart/Legacy: Lee really shined in 5-on-5 play, making a number of tough plays defensively to keep her team alive while delivering some powerful attacks with her 5-9 frame. Samantha Deinek, South Lyon East/Michigan Elite: Deinek stands 6-2 and she could create a real pop off the volleyball when she connected on her swings. Her size and power will make her a handful in the Lakes Valley Conference. Abigail Costlow, SMCC/High Street: Costlow is just a really consistent player that can make a play in the front or back row. You never notice a bad play coming from her. Kaylin Collins, Mercy/Michigan Elite: Collins is part of that deep Mercy hitting crew, but she brings her own strengths to the floor. She can impact the game anywhere, at any time. Setters Julia Bishop, Mercy/Michigan Elite: There wasn’t anything I really needed to see from Bishop. She’s one of the best players in the entire class and a great leader on the floor. Callie Bauer, Hudson/Impact VBC: Bauer really displayed great athleticism during the showcase and showed her ability to play multiple positions, though she is clearly one of the top setters in this class. Audrey Schultz, Lansing Catholic/Attack: Schultz was in a talented setter pool but held her own and was steady and consistent. Schultz will be a talent in the Lansing area that should really shine the next two years. Caris Cross, Bedford/Michigan Elite: Cross is another athletic setter that was able to play at a high level in 6-on-6 action. She can run a fast offense and mix up her sets. Middle Hitters Charli Atiemo, Mercy/Michigan Elite: Atiemo really has great footwork, which allows her to get the most out of her attacks. She is always positioning herself in the right spot, at the right angle. Ryann Tolbert, Detroit Country Day/Michigan Elite: Tolbert had some of the best testing numbers with a 9’5” block touch and a 9’9” approach touch. She certainly has the raw talent to shine as she continues to sharpen her skills. Sophie Paspal, Salem/Michigan Elite: Paspal is listed at 6-1, but she played longer and really knew how to utilize her length at the net.   Libero/DS Hannah Blaney, Saline/Legacy: Blaney was always putting out great effort and was a consistent passer that showed crisp technique. Rachel Jennings, Novi/Michigan Elite: Jennings has a long reach and she is able to cover a lot of ground in the back row. She’s a gamer that never looks intimidated. Olivia Kowalkowski, Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite: Kowalkowski has a lot of big-match experience already and she is someone that doesn’t make the same mistake twice. Very aware, she always bounced back from a bad pass or missed opportunity. Livvy Setla, Northville/Legacy: Setia was someone that stood out with her competitiveness. She played her position well and was very engaged during all the drills and competitions. Susan Danzinger, East Lansing/Michigan Elite: Danzinger had crisp passing in 6-on-6 play, allowing her squads to stay in system and get high-percentage possessions. Julia Blaney, Saline/Legacy: Like Hannah, Julia was routine with her effort and passing. She put herself in the right spot most of the time and took on some big attacks. Samantha Schaub, Traverse City West/North Shore: Schaub didn’t have a lot of wasted movement, getting to her spots and being in position to make the dig or proper pass.