Championship Vibes in Detroit: Premier Displays Standout Performances at Motor City Madness

Chad Rutkowski
3 days ago
2 min read

The "Spring Streak" is officially in full swing. This past weekend (April 18–19), the Premier Academy family headed north to Detroit for the 2026 Mizuno Motor City Madness, and our athletes didn't just compete—they took over.

Between the UWM Sports Complex and Trinity Health Elite Sports Center, our teams faced some of the toughest regional talent in the Midwest. When the dust settled, Premier came home with a massive haul: one undisputed Championship and three podium finishes.

Here’s how the weekend unfolded:

🏆 Back-to-Back: 18-Antare Takes the Crown

There is something special about this group. Led by our General Manager, Chad Rutkowski, 18-Antare put on a masterclass in the 18s Club/Classic division.

18-As dominated, going a perfect 5–0 on the weekend and dropping only a single set. Their secret? Flawless first contact and a relentless offensive tempo that kept opponents on their heels from the first serve to the final point.

The Highlight: This win marks back-to-back Motor City Madness titles for Antare. Maintaining that level of consistency year-over-year is exactly why we take pride in being Toledo’s Best Club Volleyball Experience.

18-Antare: Back-to-back Motor City Madness Champions.

🥉 16-Kinsei: Grittiness All Weekend

Competing in the 16 Open/Premier division, 16-Kinsei, led by Brett Garner, proved once again why they are one of the most dangerous teams in the region. Finishing 3rd overall with a 4–1 record, the girls showcased an aggressive attacking style that was fun to watch and even harder to defend.

🥉 16-Nimbus: Efficiency at Its Finest

16-Nimbus and coach Laura Gamel were clinical this weekend. They secured 3rd place with a 4–1 record, but it was how they won that stood out. Their disciplined serve-receive and "zero-waste" offense made them one of the most efficient squads in the entire building.

🥉 18-Onitsuka: Battling for the Bronze

Volleyball is a game of momentum, and 18-Onitsuka showed incredible heart in the 18 Open/Premier division. Despite a grueling schedule and some marathon matches, they stayed resilient, fought through the fatigue, and earned their spot on the podium with a 3rd place finish.

Beyond the Stats: Why These Results Matter

Seeing success across the 16s and 18s age groups isn't an accident—it’s a testament to the "Premier Way." Whether it's elite setter play or a "never let the ball hit the floor" defensive mentality, the culture of our gym is showing up on the scoreboard.

We don't just train athletes to hit a ball; we train them to compete in all aspects of the game, training each and every skill needed to be your best.

Join Premier Academy – Tryouts Are Coming!

As we head into the final stretch of the season, the momentum is building toward next year. If you want your athlete to experience a culture focused on development, confidence, and high-level competition, we want to see you on the court.

Find your place at Premier Academy: