All-Grand Rapids Area Dream Team – 2021 Edition

<p>The volleyball talent in the Grand Rapids area is overflowing and only getting better each year.</p> <p>It’s too difficult to limit the best to just a handful of players, as so many have made a name for themselves in the state picture.</p> <p>Here’s some of the best from the Class of 2021, and how they have separated themselves from the rest.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14192" first="Jenna" last="Reitsma"], OH Lowell/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>You’d be hard pressed to find a member of the Class of 2021 that really raised their stock more than Reitsma over the last year. She led Lowell to its first appearance in the state finals and racked up an impressive 873 kills during the 2019 prep season. That was more than double her 2018 total, while improving her hitting percentage up to .342. A top-level passer as well, Reitsma was able to contribute everywhere for the Red Arrows and the Marquette commit was part of a talented FaR Out 18 Black squad this past club year.</p> [caption id="attachment_71859" align="alignright" width="231"] [player_tooltip player_id="14203" first="Addie" last="VanderWeide"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14203" first="Addie" last="VanderWeide"], OH Grand Rapids Christian/MVA (2021)</strong></p> <p>The two-time state champion with Grand Rapids Christian, VanderWeide has established herself as one of the strongest overall players in Michigan. She amassed over 500 kills during the 2019 season, as she was the top arm for the Eagles in a repeat championship performance. She also has been the go-to player for MVA over the years and that was the case with 17 Black this club season. A steady passer, VanderWeide is a very reliable six-rotation option for any team.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50289" first="Lydia" last="Harper"], S Caledonia/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>Haprer has been one of the best setters in the state for some time now and that trend has continued over the last year. Along with her setting skills, she also hits for Caledonia and put up over 300 kills during the 2019 season. Harper has it all, as she can block, serve and pass as well. The FaR Out 18 Black setter is committed to Miami (Ohio), but she is hoping to raise Caledonia to a big postseason run in 2020 first.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14165" first="Abby" last="Boyle"], L/DS Byron Center/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>Boyle was a fierce defender for Byron Center in 2019, helping the Bulldogs claim a district championship before running into Lowell. Boyle is very spry and able to make the tough plays in the back row. She’s got Byron Center looking like another D1 contender in 2020. The Valparaiso commit raised her skill during the 2020 club year with FaR Out 18 Gold.</p> <p><strong>Sophie Powell, S Lowell/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>Powell was among the state leaders in assists during the 2019 season, posting 1,571 for Lowell. She had a great connection with her hitters, raising their games while the Red Arrows set new program standards for success. A standout for FaR Out 17 Black, Powell has the leadership and intelligence to make this next year a very big one for her and anyone playing alongside her.</p> [caption id="attachment_62004" align="alignright" width="231"] [player_tooltip player_id="50322" first="Emma" last="Hall"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50322" first="Emma" last="Hall"], L/DS Lowell/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>A team is only as good as its defense and Hall led a great Lowell defense in 2019. Hall was the team leader in digs with 516, while also putting up 74 aces from the service line. Hall had the instincts to get to some high-speed attacks and keep her powerful offense in-system. Without Hall, players like Reitsma and Powell wouldn’t have put up the numbers they did. She faces some of the best hitters in the region during club season as well as part of FaR Out 18 Black.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50307" first="Lauren" last="Peal"], L/DS Grand Rapids Christian/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>Peal gets lost in the shuffle at GRC due to their dynamic and high-powered offense, but her consistency in the back row made her the unsung hero in the last two state championships. Peal faces a lot of tough hitters around the state, but hasn’t backed down to anyone. She raises her game in the big moments and the Belmont commit is steady as a rock for FaR Out 17 Black.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50308" first="Anna" last="Butler"], MH Byron Center/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>Butler holds down the middle of the floor for Byron Center and also is playing up in age for FaR Out 18 Black during the club season. Butler is getting a great opportunity to play against the top hitters in the state during competition and in practice, which will help her raise her game for the 2020 season. A North Florida commit, Butler doesn’t have the size that others do in the middle, but her explosiveness makes up for it.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50301" first="Tatum" last="Otolski"], MH Forest Hills Central/MVA (2021)</strong></p> <p>Otolski is another talented middle from the area. The Robert Morris commit has a solid vertical from the middle and also plays with a lot of enthusiasm. Otolski has been a standout for FHC during the prep season and has made big strides each year with MVA. She may not get the attention as some of the other hitters in the area, but that could change this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50316" first="Ella" last="Uganski"], MH Jenison/FaR Out (2021)</strong></p> <p>A junior captain for Jenison, Uganski is the kind of leader you need on the floor. Vocal and demanding of her teammates, Uganski also leads by example with her play. She can compete above the net with anyone and also has great court vision for blocking. The Wayne State commit has been a great asset for FaR Out 17 Black this year and will be ready to showcase her skills during the 2020 prep season.</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="50315" first="Riley" last="Hoffman"], L/DS Forest Hills Eastern/MVA (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="50318" first="Julia" last="Bouma"], OH Forest Hills Central/MVA (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="89337" first="Ola" last="Nowak"], S/OH/DS Grandville/FaR Out (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="50320" first="Eliza" last="Thelan"], MH Forest Hills Eastern (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="50328" first="Stephanie" last="Stewart"], OH Grand Rapids Christian/FaR Out (2021); [player_tooltip player_id="89348" first="Amanda" last="Hillicker"], L/DS Byron Center/MVA (2021).</p>