2020 Club Preview: Dead Frog

<p>Though not the biggest club in the state of Michigan, <strong>Dead Frog </strong>certainly makes an impact with its national squads and has a lot of talent from the Kalamazoo area.</p> <p>This year's club maintains squads in the 18's and 16's and has already seem some promising results early in the year.</p> <p>Here's a closer look at both teams and the standout players that will be wearing the Dead Frog uniform this club season.</p> <p><strong>18 BLACK</strong></p> <p>Coached by knowledgeable volleyball mind Dawn Jaqua, this roster is comprised of three members of the Class of 2020, five from the Class of 2021 and one from the Class of 2022. 18 Black is off to a nice start in the Michiana Open Power League for 2020, going 5-1 in last weekend's first days of pool play. Their lone loss was a three-set nail-biter with Michigan Elite 17 Elite. Dead Frog has a premier player in RS/MB <strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/makayla-smith/">Makayla Smith</a></strong>, who has been a mainstay with the program. The Portage Northern product is a great athlete that plays well above her 5-foot-11 frame and can finish points with the best of them. She will be paired with <strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/maizie-brown/">Maizie Brown</a> </strong>as the team's primary options in the middle. They have a standout setter feeding them the ball in <strong>Lexie Beeke </strong>(Youngstown State). Beeke had a great fall season working with a banged-up Gull Lake team. Her leadership, setting and serving ability will be a big strength for the squad. When it comes to the outsides, Beek has <strong>Alina Ciesielski</strong>, <strong>Elise Eichman</strong>, <strong>Jordan MacDonald </strong>and <strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/olivia-ott/">Olivia Ott</a> </strong>to work with. All four are member of the Class of 2021 and have a chance to really improve their game while playing alongside Beeke and Brown. In the back row, 18 Black has <strong>Alissa Barnes</strong> and <strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/lyse-bates/">Lyse Bates</a></strong>. Bates is the lone Class of 2022 player on the squad. Another Portage Northern produce, Bates was a big part of the young Huskies this year and should be ready to step up against older competition this club season.</p> <p><strong>16 BLACK</strong></p> <p>Coached by former Western Michigan player Tara Lowell, this squad consists of eight players from the Class of 2022 and one from the Class of 2023. Like 18 Black, 16 Black is off to a good start to the new year, as it went a perfect 6-0 in Michiana Open Power League matches last weekend, winning 12 of 13 sets. The lone freshman on the squad is <strong>Marine Klein</strong>, an outside hitter. She is joined on the outside by <strong>Mehl Hansen</strong>, <strong>Isabela Griwatcsch </strong>and <strong>Sarah Campbell</strong>. <strong>Olivia Sturgeon </strong>can also play the outside, but is primarily a middle. <strong>Fatimata Deme </strong>is the other middle option for this squad. Deme and Griswatch both played at the varsity level for Portage Northern this fall as well, as did setter <strong>Alia Mastromatteo</strong>. Hansen and Sturgeon both come from Portage Central, so there is plenty of familiarity amongst this team. In the back row, <strong>Olivia Pearce</strong> will be the libero, while <strong>Hailey Brown</strong> is at DS. Both are strong and steady options with their passing and serving. Team chemistry will certainly be a strength for this squad and they have been able to hit the ground running in 2020. That should help them really make strides and push to be one of the top teams in the Power League this year.</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/391RDMX"><strong><em>Related: Legacy Volleyball Club 2020 Preview</em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/36bQOj2"><strong><em>Related: FaR Out 2020 Preview</em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2QKcagK"><strong><em>Related: Michigan Elite Preview</em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2uqI2zz"><strong><em>Related: Five:1 Athletics Preview</em></strong></a></p> <p><strong><em><a href="http://bit.ly/2Ti0a9j">Related: MVA Preview</a></em></strong></p>