2025 Club Preview: Michigan Elite 17 Elite

<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>Time to take a look at the Michigan Elite's 17 Elite team! This is an age group for the club that has done traditionally well. Looking at the last two seasons, Elite's 17-2's team has managed to grab a bid to USAV Nationals as well as finish in the top third at AAU Nationals last season.</p>   <p>This year's group is another one with a lot of potential to make their mark. A team that looks almost brand new, this group returns only three players from last year's 16 Elite squad. They welcome six newcomers from other clubs and two from the club's 3s team.</p>   <p>17 Elite has been coached by Notre Dame Prep assistant, Ryan Minarick. A mainstay with this particular group, Minarick has done some exciting things over the last few seasons. He'll be joined by legendary coach, Russ Carney. Carney is a long-time assistant at Michigan State before spending successful coaching stints at FaR Out and most recently, Elite's 14 Mizuno the last few years.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226880' first='Chloe' last='Burns'] - Dexter</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='706598' first='Soniah' last='Robinson'] - Woodhaven</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='261179' first='Kiley' last='Urbanski'] - St. Mary Catholic Central</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='537168' first='Gabriella' last='Ferrera'] - Woodhaven</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='537306' first='Annamarie' last='Myint'] - Dexter</td><td>Marisa Vushaj - Regina</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='555634' first='Kennedy' last='Hinkle'] - Livonia Stevenson</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490026' first='Allison' last='Rutledge'] - Lapeer</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='489427' first='Victoria' last='Weingartz'] - Romeo</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='546055' first='Nadia' last='Murray'] - Rochester Adams</td><td>Allison Steffler - Lapeer</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential on the Pins</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/DSC08656.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-726467" style="width:224px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='706598' first='Soniah' last='Robinson']</figcaption></figure>   <p>17 Elite welcomes a lot of new to the line up. A big chunk of that is at the production on the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='706598' first='Soniah' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='261179' first='Kiley' last='Urbanski'] and Allison Steffler are some key additions to keep an eye on.</p>   <p>Robinson has been sparking up quite the buzz lately on the socials. The 5'8 outside hitter hops well beyond her height suggests and it really elevates her game another level. Robinson joins Elite by way of Passion Volleyball Club. A more local volleyball club, this turn of clubs gives Robinson a perfect platform to further showcase her dynamic nature on the court. </p>   <p>Alongside her are Urbanski and Steffler. Both of which are pins that could do some solid work along the net. Urbanski is coming off of a huge high school season, helping the Kestrels of SMCC dominate in their run to a D3 Title. Steffler is another player with loads of potential. She has seen significant minutes spent in the middle, but by the looks of it, Steffler is spending a lot of time on the right pin. This isn't a bad look for her at all. She's got the size and dangerous attack when everything comes together. </p>   <p>Another player we have to touch on is [player_tooltip player_id='555634' first='Kennedy' last='Hinkle']! This is a player that is a Michigan Elite returner, but is getting the call up to the Elite level. Last year, on the 16-3s, Hinkle proved to be a revolution. She's another player that is switching from the middle to the pin and she can play both roles very well. At 6'1 and a long reach, Hinkle has shown some serious signs of greatness throughout the last several months. This is a player that has continually pushed the edge of the envelope and is showing zero signs of slowing down.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mighty in the Middle</h2>   <p>While Hinkle can easily be considered a middle, there is plenty of love in this position that should keep her busy on the pins. 17 Elite bolsters a trio in the middle with a lot of power. Leading the way is returner [player_tooltip player_id='537168' first='Gabriella' last='Ferrera'], [player_tooltip player_id='546055' first='Nadia' last='Murray'] and newbie, Marisa Vushaj.</p>   <p>Ferrera will surely be the leading middle of this group once all is figured out. She was the leading blocker on 16 Elite a season ago and is coming off of a big high school season. However, towards the end of the fall, Ferrera suffered a lower leg injury that has her currently sidelined. However, upon return, this team will see another step up in play.</p>   <p>For Murray and Vushaj, these two have been holding down the fort quite impressively. Murray saw herself just about anywhere on the court last season, but this year looks to be a mainstay in the middle. Murray boasts a heavy arm and is growing in her net speed. Vushaj is another player getting the call up from Elite's 3s squad. At 6'1 and a LARGE wingspan, Vushaj can be quite the trouble at the net. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Options at Setter and Libero</h2>   <p>With the amount of depth this team has in their offense, they have that in the setter and libero position as well. Both of these positions feature brand new players to the Elite cannon. </p>   <p>At the setter slot, this team brings on [player_tooltip player_id='490026' first='Allison' last='Rutledge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226880' first='Chloe' last='Burns']. Rutledge is a 6'0 setter from Lapeer, joining her HS teammate, Steffler. Rutledge is also a lefty that can be pretty offensive minded. She's been used to swing as well as set in 17 Elite's 6-2 system this season. Burns is a returner to this team. At 5'8, Burns has been used in both a setter and DS role in the past. After coming off of a huge high school season, she has been an integral look for Elite's offense. </p>   <p>At the defensive end of things, Elite brings on a pair of newbies in [player_tooltip player_id='489427' first='Victoria' last='Weingartz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='537306' first='Annamarie' last='Myint']. The two have been battling out for the jersey so far on the season and it has made for some healthy competition. Weingartz is coming off of an entire fall setting for Romeo which should bode her well in the IQ department. Myint also had a nice season alongside Burns with Dexter in the Fall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Season Outlook</h2>   <p>This is a hard one to outlook. Between the newness of this roster as well as some of the injuries that this team has sustained, things could go really well for 17 Elite. All signs are pointing towards the good. </p>   <p>With two really strong coaches at the helm and a slew of raw athletes, a little bit of work can take them a long way. Players like Hinkle and Robinson are having major gains in their game. With the return of Ferrera in the middle will add in this team's overall size and physicality. Be on the lookout for Michigan Elite's 17 Elite squad, come June, they may be a team turning a lot of heads.</p>

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