2020 Club Preview: FaR Out Volleyball Club
If there is anything we learned from the 2019 prep season, it is that the West side of the state definitely can hold its own with anyone in Michigan. That’s a good sign for the upcoming club season for FaR…
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Continue ReadingIf there is anything we learned from the 2019 prep season, it is that the West side of the state definitely can hold its own with anyone in Michigan.
That’s a good sign for the upcoming club season for FaR Out Volleyball, which has put together many of the best from the West.
Here’s a look at the Black squads for FaR Out in the 2020 club season.
18 BLACK
This team features a mix of players from the Class of 2020 and 2021, as well as one member of the Class of 2022. What they add up to is a super team from the West side of the state. This group is coached by Joe Steenhuysen and is comprised of a lot of athleticism and talent that has already been in high-pressure matches from this past prep season. At setter alone, the team has Jordyn Gates (Arkansas), a two-time state champ and Miss Volleyball finalist, as well as Lydia Harper (Miami-Ohio), who is one of the top players in the Class of 2021. They have tremendous hitting to feed. On the outside alone, 18 Black has Miss Volleyball runner-up Andelyn Simkins (Western Michigan), Jenna Reitsma (Marquette), Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI (Michigan State) and two-time state champ Anna Smith (College of Charleston). In the middle, Elly Medendorp (Central Michigan), Anna Butler (North Florida) and Aubrey O’Gorman (Michigan State) complete a powerful arsenal. In the back, Miss Volleyball finalist Alli Wiese (Hillsdale College) leads the way, and can be joined by Smith or Emma Hall, who also can play the outside. All 11 players on this team can really stand out, so if the younger talent can handle the challenge of playing up in age, FaR Out could really be in line for a breakout season on the national level.
17 BLACK
This team will be coached by Alan Kaufman and will be a technically sound team that will have its strengths in ball control and volleyball IQ. Sophie Powell is a great court general at setter to lead this team. She will be supported by Savannah Hall. The back row is highlighted by Lauren Peal (Belmont) and Chloe Fornetti Chloe Fornetti 5'9" | DS/L East Kentwood | 2022 State MI . While a lot of the top hitters in this age group are up on 18 Black, this roster isn’t anything to overlook. Brooke Dzwik Brooke Dzwik 5'10" | OH Battle Creek St. Phil | 2022 State MI , Audrey Torres and Stephanie Stewart are solid on the outside while Ella Uganski (Wayne State), Hannah Keenan, Maggie Morris and Alisha Leffring are all capable middles. If 17 Black can find its stride with its hitting, this will be a very competitive team. The serving and serve receive will keep it competitive in the early months of the club season.
16 BLACK
Evelyn Doezema Evelyn Doezema 6'2" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 State #34 Nation MI
Some members of the Class of 2022 find themselves on 17 and 18 Black, but this team is comprised strictly of sophomores and is coached by Laura Alford. There are a number of new faces to FaR Out on this roster, so the team could experience some early bumps in the road while gelling together. One new face is Evelyn Doezema Evelyn Doezema 6'2" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 State #34 Nation MI , who has made big strides to her all-around game over the last year and will be a featured outside on the team alongside Taylor Humphrey Taylor Humphrey 6'2" | OH Byron Center | 2022 State #186 Nation MI , Sophia Shields Sophia Shields 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2022 State MI and Emma Mirabelli Emma Mirabelli 6'0" | OH TC Christian | 2022 State MI . In the middle, 16 Black will have Olivia Howlett Olivia Howlett 5'10" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI , Leah Rogers Leah Rogers 6'2" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI , Emily Struckmeyer Emily Struckmeyer 6'1" | MB Lowell | 2022 State MI and Ava M Young Ava M Young 6'0" | MB Rockford | 2022 State MI to work with. Anna Leigh Alford Anna Leigh Alford 5'9" | S Mt. Pleasant | 2022 MI and Hannah Bitely Hannah Bitely 5'6" | S Northview | 2022 State MI will handle the setting while Alina Anderson Alina Anderson 5'5" | DS/L Rockford | 2022 State MI and Carlina Bender Carlina Bender 5'5" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2022 State MI patrol the back row. Look for this team to be vastly improved at the end of club season compared to where it starts. They may get overlooked early on, but will definitely be a serious threat come the summer.
15 BLACK
Aubreigh Oswald
Coached by Russ Carney, this team features 10 members of the Class of 2023 and one member of the Class of 2024 in libero Carley Piercefield Carley Piercefield 5'4" | DS/L Lakewood | 2024 State #90 Nation MI , who has shown a lot of high-level skill and poise at a young age. She will have a great teammate in the back row in Madi Derby Madi Derby 5'5" | DS/L Allendale | 2023 State MI that gives this team a sound defense. When it comes to the attack, Skylar Bump Skylar Bump 5'7" | S Lakewood | 2023 MI will be there at setter to run a smooth offense after having a great freshman year at Lakewood this past fall. Lauren Hallas Lauren Hallas 5'9" | S Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State MI will also be on the roster to push Bump and give the team options with the position. Middle could be a real strength for 15 Black, as Aubreigh Oswald Aubreigh Oswald 6'2" | MB Lowell | 2023 State MI , Kennedy Arp Kennedy Arp 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2023 State MI and Lizzie Macintosh Lizzie Macintosh 6'1" | OH Rockford | 2023 State MI are all coming off great fall seasons and are continuing to grow in size and talent. On the outside, Rachel Steele Rachel Steele 6'0" | OH Eaton Rapids | 2023 State MI , Sarah Dunn Sarah Dunn 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2023 State MI , Taylor Stephens Taylor Stephens 5'11" | OH Okemos | 2023 State MI , Payton Rice Payton Rice 5'10" | OH Harper Creek | 2023 State MI and Kennedy Louisell Kennedy Louisell 6'0" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State #140 Nation MI all provide a lot of depth and flexibility with the lineup. With its depth and hitting power, 15 Black expects to be able to challenge opponents with its power, or its fundamentals, which makes it a team that could make some noise around the region and the country.