NJC Recap: New Perspective on Top Michigan Prospects

With some of the top teams in the Midwest, that ultimately are pursuing a national championship, Michigan had their fair share of players rise among the best. With Dead Frog, FaR Out, and Michigan Volleyball Academy spread out over all age groups at three different facilities, I was able to see the most action at the Rosemont Dome with one session with the 17s in Schaumburg. As a Wisconsin writer, I had seen some FaR Out teams from the Great Lakes Power League and Michigan Volleyball Academy from the JVA Jamboree in Milwaukee. Consider this a set of fresh eyes and an unbiased look into some of the top players in Michigan this past weekend at NJC. Lydia Harper - FaR Out 15 Black - Setter - Class of 2021 FaR Out 15 Black has a team made of future collegiate players, especially some with the potential to play Division 1. Maradith O’Gorman and Aubrey O’Gorman have given their verbal to play at Michigan State, but Harper definitely has all the tools to set in a Power 5 conference. At 6’1 and the ability to set and swing, Harper can also put up a big block. FaR Out 15s had some huge wins this past weekend which included defeating Sports Performance 15 Elite twice and Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold. Their only trip up was to Northern Lights 15-1 in pool play and again in the semifinals, resulting in a 3rd place overall. This team will have a legitimate chance to compete for a national title at AAU Nationals in Orlando. Anna Smith - FaR Out 15 Black - Outside Hitter - Class of 2021 Every great team needs an outlet which FaR Out has plenty when they are out of system, but behind the play of Anna Smith, she has the ball control to keep them in system, but also the ability to score and be consistent in and out of system. Smith was named to the All-Tournament Team. FaR Out also has libero Abby Boyle who also provides a solid and consistent passer in the backrow to keep this team running on all cylinders. Mallory Keller - Michigan Volleyball Academy 16 National - Class of 2020 MVA has Arkansas commit, Jordyn Gates and Freshman Phenom, Addie Vanderweide, but there is more balance on MVA which allows them to compete for Gold in the Open Division at some major tournaments. Keller is a 5’11 outside hitter who has an edge where she just competes, she plays with fire and energy, and the will to win. Keller can also play six rotations and does a great job of using the block, once again, a smart, gritty player. Keller could be generating some Division 1 interest, but would be a solid get for any of the GLIAC schools in Michigan and Indiana. Riley Homer - FaR Out 17/18 Gold - Class of 2020 Committed to Villanova Homer was playing up in the 17s Division where FaR Out had two stumbles against KIVA and Northern Lights, but was able to defeat intrastate club rival Michigan Volleyball Academy to finish 7th overall. Homer has a live arm and is able to do plenty of things for her team that were huge in big points. Against Wisconsin Volleyball Academy, FaR Out 17/18 Gold won 27-25 in both sets as well as defeating Northern Lights 17-2 and Michio which are among some of the top 17s teams in the Midwest. Maria Bos - Michigan Volleyball Academy 17 National- Class of 2019 Bos was a gamechanger for MVA in pool play on Saturday, hitting from the outside, a two tempo ball out of the middle, and was lethal from the service line as well. Box definitely has the tools to be a key contributor at the next level with her ability to score from a variety of ways. MVA had to fight and scrap their way through the tournament going against the likes of Milwaukee Sting Gold and KIVA, but won a huge three set match over Dune to get them to the Gold bracket for Sunday. MVA finished 9th overall. Andelyn Simkins - FaR Out 17/18 Gold - Class of 2020 Committed to Western Michigan Simkins is all firepower. A six rotation outside that can score from anywhere on the court, especially an outlet in the backrow, is a huge key to the success of FaR Out. With already 1,000 careers in her high school career, Simkins has already given her verbal to Western Michigan with two years of high school ball to play. Simkins is a proven winner and will be a solid pick up for WMU. Ryann Jaqua - Dead Frogs 17 Black - Class of 2019 Committed to Quinnipiac One of the most ferocious approaches I saw out of anyone the entire weekend. Jacqua is only 5’7, undersized by Division 1 standards for a pin hitter, but with her approaches she packs a lot of velocity behind her swing whether it be from the left side or back court. Jacqua also has a bag of tricks with plenty of sharp angles and roll shots that makes her a point scoring machine.