Wild West: Top Players to Watch in West Grand Rapids
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Moving from the east side of the state, to the west side. This side of the state is no strangers to producing some of the best volleyball in the Mitten state. Especially when it comes to the greater Grand Rapids…
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Continue ReadingMoving from the east side of the state, to the west side. This side of the state is no strangers to producing some of the best volleyball in the Mitten state. Especially when it comes to the greater Grand Rapids area, this is a volleyball hub!
Last year saw the likes of Hudsonville and Grand Rapids Christian march all the way to the Final Four in Kellogg Arena. I would bet big bucks that more west side teams would finish further in the tournament in a model that didn’t favor east side squads. That’s how much talent is here.
So vast, we’re breaking it up into East and West sides. First up, West Grand Rapids.
Kennedy Arp Kennedy Arp 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2023 State MI – 6’1 MB – South Christian
I don’t believe anyone had a bigger club season than Kennedy Arp Kennedy Arp 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2023 State MI . Between winning a national championship with FaR Out, earning All-American honors, and committing to Valparaiso University, Arp has been steamrolling. I can see this type of success begin to bleed into the high school season. Jumping a crazy 10’5, Arp can tower over anybody she pleases and her block is not one to contend with either.
Ellie Fles Ellie Fles 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2024 State MI – 6’0 MB – South Christian
Right alongside Arp for South Christian, you get the heavy dosage of Ellie Fles Ellie Fles 6'0" | MB South Christian | 2024 State MI . Another elite performer from the club season with FaR Out, Fles gives Christian a constant threat in the middle. Whether it comes with her offense or her blocking, this is one of the toughest middle blocking duos in the state.
Zoey Dood Zoey Dood 6'2" | S Grandville | 2024 State #131 Nation MI – 6’2 S – Grandville
Zoey Dood Zoey Dood 6'2" | S Grandville | 2024 State #131 Nation MI has practically become a household name at this point in time. She’s one of the toughest setters to contend with in the high school scene. With her size and physicality, she’s an imposing blocker, amazing attacker on two, but can take the ball at a high contact point to make for a speedy offense. Dood will be challenged this season though, if her ace attacker, Paige Sanders Paige Sanders 6'0" | MB Grandville | 2023 State MI , is still out of commission with an injury from March, she will have to get really crafty.
Isabelle Swiercz Isabelle Swiercz 6'2" | OH Hudsonville | 2024 State #110 Nation MI – 6’2 OPP – Hudsonville
Hudsonville had a huge 2021 season, seeing the Eagles fly all the way to the state semifinals. While they lose a lot from that talented squad, they return one of the brightest stars from the squad, Isabelle Swiercz Isabelle Swiercz 6'2" | OH Hudsonville | 2024 State #110 Nation MI . Swiercz is one of the most imposing attackers you may find on this side of the state and she was the lone player to hit over .200 in last year’s semifinal game. She’ll be looked to heavily to carry the offense this season.
Gianna Bender Gianna Bender 5'6" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI – 5’7 L – Hudsonville
Last year saw the Bender show in the back court. Alongside her sister Carlina Bender, Gianna Bender Gianna Bender 5'6" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI created a tough defense and reception line for the Eagles. I assume Bender to take over libero duties this season, she is the perfect candidate to man this back court. A solid receiver and defender, Gianna will have a huge role in this team’s hunt for another Kellogg appearance.
Kam Burbridge Kam Burbridge 6'1" | MB Grand Haven | 2023 State MI – 6’0 MB – Grand Haven
Grand Haven is a consistent player in the post season tournament producing talented teams year after year. Kam Burbridge Kam Burbridge 6'1" | MB Grand Haven | 2023 State MI comes in a long list of Buccaneer products and is poised for a big senior season. An athletic and explosive player in the middle, Burbridge can be very tough to defend. She has a giant whip of an arm and has great vision for open court with her swings.
Emily May Emily May 6'1" | OH Coopersville | 2023 State MI – 6’1 OH – Coopersville
Emily May Emily May 6'1" | OH Coopersville | 2023 State MI is one of the top returning hitters in the state. You can throw her anywhere along the net and she will deliver a blistering attack and some tough blocking. May is at a great size standing at 6’1 with a wide wing span. With her high reach, she often times can go over an opposing block with ease.
Hayley Wegener Hayley Wegener 5'11" | S Coopersville | 2023 State MI – 5’10 S – Coopersville
Not only does Coopersville return May, but they bring back their setter, Hayley Wegener Hayley Wegener 5'11" | S Coopersville | 2023 State MI . This duo have been developing this deadly connection for the last few seasons now and will be looking to continue their killer connection. Wagener not only brings a really high IQ for the game, but at 5’10, she’s at a decent size for the position and proposes a lot of opportunities to score herself.
Raegan Lantz Raegan Lantz 6'1" | OH West Ottawa | 2023 State MI – 6’0 OH – West Ottawa
Another player coming off of a big club season, Raegan Lantz Raegan Lantz 6'1" | OH West Ottawa | 2023 State MI is heading into the high school season with a lot of fire and will look to lead West Ottawa to a title or two this season. Lantz will see herself take on the bulk of swings for Ottawa, but with her dynamic nature, I think she’ll deliver at a high rate.
Corrie Wisser Corrie Wisser 5'10" | S Hopkins | 2023 State MI – 5’9 S – Hopkins
We started with a national champion, in Arp, and we’ll end with her championship winning setter, Corrie Wisser Corrie Wisser 5'10" | S Hopkins | 2023 State MI . A lot of these athletes saw a huge club season come and go and a lot of them will be bringing in their winning ways to their high school teams. Wisser is taking her talents to the Ferris State Bulldogs after her senior year cumulates and hopefully after bringing a few titles to Hopkins.