2020 Club Preview: Michigan Volleyball Academy
The Michigan Volleyball Academy has been a consistent contender among top clubs in the state of Michigan with the chance to breakout nationally. This year’s top clubs at MVA definitely have the potential to make a splash this year as…
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Continue ReadingThe Michigan Volleyball Academy has been a consistent contender among top clubs in the state of Michigan with the chance to breakout nationally.
This year’s top clubs at MVA definitely have the potential to make a splash this year as well, with some great foundation pieces.
Here’s a look at what to expect from MVA in 2020.
18 NATIONAL BLACK
Ashley SlaterCoached by Chip Will, this group has a lot of future college talent and is coming off a 5th-place finish at the USAV Championships in the USA classification last year. Leading the squad will be 2019 Miss Volleyball finalist Ashley Slater (Wake Forest) on the outside. Standing 6-foot-3, Slater has the size and the athleticism to take over a match. She will definitely be the go-to option for the team before playing for the Demon Deacons next fall. Joining Slater at OH will be Mallory Keller (Indiana State) and Olivia Bergsma. In the middle, MVA has Ryleigh Blough (Palm Beach Atlantic), Meghan Meyer (Northern Michigan) and Claire Phillips (Aquinas). All of the hitters on the roster are 6-0 or taller, giving the team a lot of size and length to work with. That should make things smooth for setters Kaylee Maat (Ferris State) and Andrea Schriver (Indiana Tech), who already have shown their ability to play at an elite level. At libero Gracie Gorsline (Hope College) and Maggie Wehrmeyer give MVA a steady back row that they can trust. Both excelled this fall while facing big hitters from around the state. 18 National Black should have its expectations set high. They’ve got the tools to compete in their national classification, now they just need to show the consistency with passing and serving to really push themselves over the edge.
17 NATIONAL BLACK
Addie VanderWeideCoached by Abby Aiken, MVA 17 National Black is hoping to climb up the rankings this year after having some struggles in the Premier division of the AAU Championships. The squad has a big-time outside in Addie VanderWeide. She really took a big step forward this fall while winning a second consecutive state championship with Grand Rapids Christian. Joined by Sophie Plate and Mackenzie Gross, this team has a lot of power arms to work with. In the middle, Tatum Otolski (Robert Morris), Becca Meyer-Rassmusen and Rachel Carlson give the team a lot of blocking and finishing ability. Carlson can also shift to the outside. Riley Hoffman and Morghan Tilton will be the setters while Katie Stotts and Julia Bouma will handle the defense in the back row. This team really has some big pieces to work with, but the key will be if they can have depth and spread the ball around effectively. In club, you can’t be a one-trick pony and MVA knows that. Look for this team to really finish the club season strong as they work through some early struggles.
16 NATIONAL BLACK
Coached by Craig Vlietstra, this is a group that showed some good things in the AAU and USAV championships last fall in their respective qualifications and are hoping they can carry that into a big 2020 season. While the majority of the roster stands under 6-0, they do have 6-3 middle Brooklyn Conner. She will definitely draw a lot of attention from opponents due to her length, which can open the door for outsides Tori Melpolder, Ella Moorlag, Avery Toole and Abigail Zylstra. MVA also has Alena Whittaker to compliment Conner in the middle. At setter, Cayden Anschutz and Josie TeSlaa both have the ability to run a smooth offense and help on the block. In the back row, Sierra Nausieda and Mara Stevens should be up to the challenge of leading the team with their passing and serve receive. Despite a lack of overall size, 16 National Black should be a fundamentally strong unit.
15 NATIONAL BLACK
Coached by Anna Tollefson, this team played in the 15’s Aspire Division of the AAU finals. That experience against older squads should have the team prepared for this season. MVA is bringing up 2024 setter Zoey Dood to join this squad. The promising young setter will join Corrie Wisser at the position. 15 National Black has a lot of players that can move around the court and play multiple positions. Primarily on the outside will be Shelby Porter, Cathryn Haven and Emma Costello. Costello could see some time in the back row as well alongside liberos Isabel Fabiano and Kate Hotaling. In the middle, 15 National Black will go with Raegan Lantz and Makenzie Ritsema. As the lineup settles in, MVA should have a solid team on its hands. Being young, this group is likely to see a lot of improvement over the club season while gaining a lot of confidence as well.
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