2020 Club Preview: Monsters Volleyball | Prep Dig (2024)

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<p><strong>Monsters Volleyball </strong>is a program that is growing at quite a rapid rate.</p><p>Starting with just a single squad two years ago, they grew to seven in 2019 and are now up to 14 for the 2020 club season.</p><p>With talent largely from Macomb County, Monsters is trying to find its place in the Michigan club volleyball scene and doing a good job of growing its brand. Here’s a look at its three Elite squads for the 2020 club year.</p><p><strong>17 ELITE</strong></p><p>This squad is coached by Eric Wachterhauser and they have been searching for some consistency thus far in 2020. They are 7-5 through 12 matches in the Michiana Open Power League, while placing 17^th in the 17 Premier of the Central Zone Invitational last month. 17 Elite carries nine Class of 2021 players and one Class of 2022 player, New Haven standout <strong>Magdalena Juncaj</strong>. This squad also features a pair of All-Region selections from the fall in Romeo middle hitter <strong>Shyla Munn</strong>, and Regina outside <strong>Maggie Pietz</strong>. The team also features hitting talents like <strong>Riley Ameel</strong>, <strong>Erin Boettcher</strong>, <strong>Erica Gregory</strong> and <strong>Isabel Tarnutzer</strong>. With a lot of hitting options that can perform, the key for the team will be in setting and passing. <strong>Callyn Brown</strong>, <strong>Kristin Tesch </strong>and <strong>Angelena Tripi</strong> will be relied on heavily in that area. This group of 10 players has a lot of experience against talented Michigan players, so there shouldn’t be much that can rattle them. They just need to find their stride and tap into their potential.</p><p><strong>16 ELITE</strong></p><p>Kim Argiri-Slone coaches 16 Elite, a roster of nine Class of 2022 prospects. The team started fast, winning its first five matches of the year, but things have taken a slower turn in more recent events. They are 7-5 thus far in Michiana Open Power League, and they were just 1-5 in the Central Zone Invitational in the 16 Premier division. But, recent struggles aren’t a sign of what is to come. The team has a lot of athleticism and ability to move players around, especially at hitter. <strong>Grace Lombardo</strong>, <strong>Maria Masters</strong>, <strong>Ashley Noyes</strong>, <strong>Haile Polisano</strong>, <strong>Lily Richter</strong>, <strong>Briana Rowoldt</strong>, <strong>Morgan Shaltis</strong>, <strong>Leah Troyer</strong> and <strong>Avan Winarski</strong> make up the 9-player roster. Masters, Polisano and Troyer come from Anchor Bay, where they were teammates. Noyes and Winarski also played together this fall at Dakota. There is some chemistry to work with here, as well as some familiarity. If they can cut down on unforced errors, 16 Elite has a chance to really take off.</p><p><strong>15 ELITE</strong></p><p>John Vestal coaches this squad of 2023 prospects. The team is playing up in age in the Michiana Open Power League and performing quite well. They are off to an 8-4 start, with some competitive losses. The Central Zone Invite saw them go just 1-5 in the 15 Premier division, but two of the matches lost were in three sets and three other sets were decided by just two points. One name to keep an eye on this club season is middle <strong>Payton Lee</strong>, an Anchor Bay product that is listed at 6-foot-3. Lee’s length will certainly pose a problem for young squads. Joining Lee on the team is <strong>Ava Beard</strong>, <strong>Isabella Austin</strong>, <strong>Olivia Boutorwick</strong>, <strong>Carly Frank</strong>, <strong>Erin Madigan</strong>, <strong>Amanda Makulski</strong>, <strong>Lilla Nicholas</strong> and <strong>Paige Slone</strong>. As these players grow in skill and talent, Monsters looks like it could really have a breakout club year. The big key will be for them to find a way to come out on the winning end of the close sets that they have lost so far.</p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/391RDMX"><strong><em>Related: Legacy Volleyball Club 2020 Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/36bQOj2"><strong><em>Related: FaR Out 2020 Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2QKcagK"><strong><em>Related: Michigan Elite Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2uqI2zz"><strong><em>Related: Five:1 Athletics Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Ti0a9j"><strong><em>Related: MVA Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2QV0s4g"><strong><em>Related: Dead Frog Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Ty0AZb"><strong><em>Related: Unified Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2uvqlPC"><strong><em>Related: Team Detroit Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2UcGyDY"><strong><em>Related: Huron Valley Volleyball Club Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/2UrD6VZ"><strong><em>Related: Inside Out Preview</em></strong></a></p><p><strong><em><a href="http://bit.ly/38bQEJC">Related: Arsenal Volleyball Club Preview</a></em></strong></p>