WHAT. A. WEEKEND. 🍒🏁 Premier Academy Makes a Statement at The Nike Open

Chad Rutkowski
Apr 28
3 min read

If there was any doubt that Premier Academy is playing its best volleyball of the year, this past weekend in Cleveland put that to rest. The Nike Open at the I-X Center was a massive stage—sold out with 344 teams—and our program represented Northwest Ohio Volleyball exceptionally well, with the best overall finish of any club in the area.

By the time the dust settled on Sunday, the numbers were staggering:

1 Champion (17-Kayano)
2 Runner-Ups (18-Antare & 14-Tokidoki)
2 Teams in 3rd Place (18-Onitsuka & 16-Nimbus)
6 Teams in the Top 5
9 Teams in Gold

"This is exactly why we put the Nike Open on the schedule," says Jodi Schramm, Premier Academy Owner & Director. "We knew the environment would be electric and the competition would be fierce. To see nine of our teams fighting in the Gold bracket is a testimony to the work these girls and our coaches have put in since day one. Our depth as a club was on full display in Cleveland."

🏆 Premier Academy 17-Kayano: The Champions of Cleveland at Nike Open

17-Kayano put on a masterclass in resilience. Competing in the 17 Club division, they finished 1st out of 27 teams, posting a dominant 5–1 match record and dropping only two sets all weekend.

Their championship run was defined by what we call "Premier Volleyball"—relentless defense and a balanced offense that kept opponents guessing. They found a way to win the tight points, winning the matches in the margains, proving they belong at the top of the podium.

17-Kayano • Champions of The Nike Open in Cleveland. — 17-Kayano • Champions of The Nike Open

🥈 The Runner-Ups in Cleveland: 18-Antare & 14-Tokidoki

The momentum from Detroit carried right over for 18-Antare. Coming off back-to-back titles at Motor City Madness, General Manager Chad Rutkowski’s squad fought their way to the 18 Club Championship match, finishing as the Runner-Up with a gritty 3–2 record.

"This group knows how to win," says Chad Rutkowski. "Even when we aren't playing our cleanest match, the girls find a way to compete. Taking 2nd in a field this deep shows the consistency we’ve been striving for all season. I'm incredibly proud of their poise."

Not to be outdone, 14-Tokidoki was the talk of the younger divisions. They battled through a marathon weekend to secure a 2nd place finish in 14 Club. Their 4–3 record doesn't tell the whole story; it was their "never-quit" attitude in the Gold bracket that turned heads and solidified their spot as one of the region's rising teams.

🥉 Podium Finishes for 18-Onitsuka & 16-Nimbus

The "Bronze" finishes felt just as accomplished as Gold this weekend. 18-Onitsuka finished 3rd in a combined 17/18 Open division, proving they can go toe-to-toe with the fastest offenses in the circuit.

16-Nimbus, coached by Laura Gamel, continued their season-long streak of excellence, finishing 3rd in 16 Club. With a 4–1 record and an impressive 9–3 set count, Nimbus showed exactly what disciplined, high-level volleyball looks like.

"First Contact Wins" — The Lead Coach's Perspective

Lead Coach Brett Garner watched the program's success across the board and noted a common thread.

"When you look at why we had six teams in the Top 5, it comes down to our training on first contact," Garner explains. "Our setters are able to run a fast, aggressive tempo because our serve-receive and defense are so disciplined. Whether it's the 14s or the 18s, we are seeing our training translate into wins against the best clubs in the Midwest."

🌊 Battle by the Bay: Local Success

While the I-X Center was buzzing, the success didn't stop in Cleveland. Back home in Toledo, our P25 teams were making their own noise at the Battle at the Bay.

P25 12 Pokahara (5th Place): These young athletes showed massive growth in their composure, proving the future of Premier is in good hands.
P25 13 Bandito (5th Place): Bandito fought through a tough field, showing the "competitive grit" that defines our program.
P25 16 Fuji (5th Place): A strong 5th place finish for Fuji highlighted their development and ability to execute under pressure.

Battle by the Bay • 16-Fuji, 13-Bandito and 12-Pokahara all finished in the Top 5!

Join the Best.

From Championship rings in Cleveland to Top-5 finishes in Toledo, this weekend proved why we are Toledo’s Best Club Volleyball Experience. We provide the coaching, the culture, and the schedule to help your athlete reach her ceiling.

Ready to join the Premier family? Tryout season is right around the corner. Don't miss your chance to be part of a program that wins, develops, and competes at the highest level.