2026 Michigan Elite Club Profile: 16 Mizuno

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't really find a clear weakness on the Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has great talent and good depth at every positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coached by Neil Rucinski, Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno is a team that hasn't hit its peak yet, but will be a very dangerous team once it does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='809557' first='Brooklyn' last='Beardsley'] - MH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='587016' first='Lillian' last='Bowman'] - OH/RS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='807820' first='Addison' last='Bultynck'] - OH/RS</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson'] - MH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='569773' first='Skylar' last='Ignash'] - OH/RS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] - S</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='454374' first='Addison' last='Nostrandt'] - DS/L</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='587006' first='Hope' last='Purwadihardja'] - DS/L</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='887162' first='Lyla' last='Russell'] - DS/L</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='890647' first='Madi' last='Lund'] - MH</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kiernan Running The Offense</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan Elite is able to put the trust in the offense in the hands of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan']</strong>, a special talent that is proving she's one of the best setters in the Class of 2028. Kiernan has good length and plenty of athleticism. She's got enough big-match experience to be confident in her decisions and have the ability to execute in high-pressure situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Balanced Attack</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiernan has a lot of big arms to work with, both on the pins and in the middle. On the outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569773' first='Skylar' last='Ignash']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807820' first='Addison' last='Bultynck']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587016' first='Lillian' last='Bowman']</strong> make up the options. Each brings a lot of power to their attack and a nice mixture of length. All three cover a lot of space in their approach and can place the ball anywhere on the court. In the middle, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809557' first='Brooklyn' last='Beardsley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='890647' first='Madi' last='Lund']</strong> all bring great length and athleticism to the position. They can execute great slide attacks and also can hit the quick strikes that defenses can't time up. Each middle has the ability to take over a match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Defensive Depth</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan Elite has a strong group of back row talent as well in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454374' first='Addison' last='Nostrandt']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587006' first='Hope' last='Purwadihardja']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887162' first='Lyla' last='Russell']</strong>. Russell is a dig machine coming from Imlay City, where she's racking up the bumps and bruises, but keeps the ball in play with well-timed dives and sprawls. Nostrandt comes from a Birch Run program that has produced some special defensive talent and she fits right in with her consistency and technique. Purwadihardja sees the ball very well and has been someone teams can count on for consistent serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The overall results haven't been exactly for 16 Mizuno wants them, but they aren't far from turning the corner. A few points here and there could have turned their outlook of the season in a big way. This team has the talent around the court to be special, they just need to keep finding that next gear and ways to close out the tight points down the stretch. Look for Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno to be a much stronger team in the later months of the season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->