2021 Club Preview: FaR Out Volleyball Club
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The FaR Out Volleyball Club has proven it is one of the best club programs in the state. Gathering many of the best on the West side of the state, FaR Out doesn’t have to take a back seat to…
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Continue ReadingThe FaR Out Volleyball Club has proven it is one of the best club programs in the state.
Gathering many of the best on the West side of the state, FaR Out doesn’t have to take a back seat to anyone.
For the 2021 club season, FaR Out again looks loaded with talent and is giving some young players a chance to step up on a higher level.
Here’s a breakdown of the Black squads for FaR Out in 2021.
18 Black
Coached by Joe Steenhuysen and Jordan Drake, this squad features a variety of 2021 and 2022 players. This year, it even includes 2023 middle Kennedy Arp Kennedy Arp 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2023 State MI from Grand Rapids South Christian. Leading the squad is six-rotation outside Jenna Reitsma Jenna Reitsma 5'11" | OH Lowell | 2021 State MI (Marquette), who has established herself as one of the best in the state and can do it all on the court. She is joined on the outside by 2021 power Anna Smith Anna Smith 5'9" | OH Mendon | 2021 State MI (College of Charleston), along with 2022 talents Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI (Michigan State), Taylor Humphrey Taylor Humphrey 6'2" | OH Byron Center | 2022 State #186 Nation MI (Rutgers) and Evelyn Doezema Evelyn Doezema 6'2" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 State #34 Nation MI (Michigan State). The endless power on the outside is accompanied by dominant middle play as well. Aubrey O’Gorman Aubrey O’Gorman 6'3" | MB Lakewood | 2021 State MI (Michigan State) and Anna Butler Anna Butler 5'11" | MB Byron Center | 2021 State MI (North Florida) join Arp as a trio of explosive arms that can hit and block. The team also has a lot of setting options with 2021’s Lydia Harper Lydia Harper 6'1" | S Caledonia | 2021 State MI (Miami-Ohio) and 2022’s Renee Brines Renee Brines 5'9" | S Cadillac | 2022 State MI and Alyssa DeVries Alyssa DeVries 5'10" | S Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 State MI . Defensively, Abby Boyle Abby Boyle 5'7" | DS/L Byron Center | 2021 State MI (Valparaiso) and Emma Hall Emma Hall 5'11" | DS/L Lowell | 2021 State MI (Gannon) will handle the load while Smith can also move to the back row when needed. This team is really talented and could be the best 18’s squad in the state, but they also have a lot of players remaining in the MHSAA playoffs. It could take some time for this team to come together and get on track, but when they do, they could push for a top 20 spot nationally.
17 Black
Coached by Kelly Delacher and Katie VanderMeer, this squad is comprised of all 2022 players, which is a very strong class in the Grand Rapids area. With a number of elite 2022 talents moving up to 18 Black, this squad will rely on its overall depth. On the outside, 17 Black has Calista Bremer Calista Bremer 5'9" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 MI , Emma Mirabelli Emma Mirabelli 6'0" | OH TC Christian | 2022 State MI , Sydney Zandstra and Sophia Shields Sophia Shields 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2022 State MI . Kate Luurtsema Kate Luurtsema 5'10" | OH South Christian | 2022 MI also can play in the middle or on the outside. 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 make up a really promising group of middles. Hannah Bitely Hannah Bitely 5'6" | S Northview | 2022 State MI and Mackenzie Delacher Mackenzie Delacher 5'10" | S Rockford | 2022 State MI will be the setters while Carlina Bender Carlina Bender 5'5" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2022 State MI and Alina Anderson Alina Anderson 5'5" | DS/L Rockford | 2022 State MI are the two primary defenders. As this squad figures out the hitting lineups and matching up the right pieces, it will need to rely on its quality defenders and passers. Look for this team to pull off some upsets, but also have get upset a few times throughout the season. At their best, they should remain a top 17’s squad in the state.
16 Black
Coached by Abby Monson and Brooke Francisco, this squad is comprised of all 2023 talents. This team should be lead by their steady and consistent outside hitters. Kennedy Louisell Kennedy Louisell 6'0" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State #140 Nation MI , Sarah Dunn Sarah Dunn 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2023 State MI and Taylor Stephens Taylor Stephens 5'11" | OH Okemos | 2023 State MI don’t have the size of some of their peers, but they play very consistent in all phases of the game and still show that explosive talent to compete at the highest level. Rachel Steele Rachel Steele 6'0" | OH Eaton Rapids | 2023 State MI and Meredith Simmons Meredith Simmons 5'10" | OH Rockford | 2023 State MI are also options on the outside or the middle, giving the team some flexibility. Kayla Ozanich Kayla Ozanich 6'1" | MB Okemos | 2023 State MI , Aubreigh Oswald Aubreigh Oswald 6'2" | MB Lowell | 2023 State MI , Paige Sanders Paige Sanders 6'0" | MB Grandville | 2023 State MI and Lizzie Macintosh Lizzie Macintosh 6'1" | OH Rockford | 2023 State MI are also primary middles for 16 Black. Oswald missed the prep season with a knee injury, but will provide a big boost to the team when she returns around March or April. Skylar Bump Skylar Bump 5'7" | S Lakewood | 2023 MI and Avery Palmateer Avery Palmateer 5'10" | S Caledonia | 2023 State MI will handle the setting and need to step up their game to help their undersized hitters finish against the length they will consistently see on the other side of the net. Defensively, Madi Derby Madi Derby 5'5" | DS/L Allendale | 2023 State MI and Abi Curtis Abi Curtis 5'2" | DS/L Schoolcraft | 2023 MI will patrol the back row and be crucial to the team’s success as well. All-in-all, this team is a work in progress but should be among the best in the state for 16’s. Fundamental play will be important as they don’t have the size to overpower teams.
15 Black
Coached by Megan Steenhuysen and Kyleigh Block, 15 Black has a roster of all 2024 talents outside of OPP Sienna Murphy Sienna Murphy 5'10" | RS Hudsonville | 2023 State MI . She’s part of a promising group of hitters, led by Ellie Fles Ellie Fles 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2024 State MI a 6-foot middle/outside option. Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI and Mila Kavara Mila Kavara 6'2" | MB Forest Hills Central | 2024 State MI are other middle/outside options that have a lot of power in their swings. Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI , Avery Weslow Avery Weslow 5'11" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2024 State MI and Ava Wilcox Ava Wilcox 5'10" | OH Lansing Catholic | 2024 State MI are the primary outsides for the team. All are strong passers that will compliment the defensive play of Carley Piercefield Carley Piercefield 5'4" | DS/L Lakewood | 2024 State #90 Nation MI , Gianna Bender Gianna Bender 5'6" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI and Hayley Carr Hayley Carr 5'4" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI . Piercefield is coming off an All-State season as a freshman for Lakewood and already competes again prolific hitters. Caroline Baker Caroline Baker 5'9" | S Byron Center | 2024 State MI will be the lone setter on the roster, but is very comfortable with the hitters on the roster and runs a smooth offense. This squad could contend for the best 15’s in Michigan and is eying a top 30-50 spot nationally is the finishing ability of the hitters improves throughout the season.