All-Grand Rapids Area Dream Team – 2022/23 Edition

The young crop of talent in the Grand Rapids area shows that this region will remain one of the best in the state for years to come. The rich get richer in some cases, as state powers have young talent ready to breakout for the 2020 prep season. Here’s a look at the top players from this area in the Class of 2022 and 2023. [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"], OH/MH Grand Rapids Christian/FaR Out (2022) Doezema stands out right away for her size at 6’4”, but her athleticism is what will really open up your eyes. Originally a middle on the talented GRC hitting crew, Doezema is now moving to outside and showing the skills to excel there. Already dominant at the net, Doezema has now added an improving serve and passing ability to her game. She’s a shining star for the Eagles and FaR Out 16 Black. [player_tooltip player_id="24851" first="Brooklyn" last="Connor"], MH Forest Hills Central/MVA (2022) Another lengthy middle from this area in the Class of 2022 is Conner, who stands 6’3”. She has an impressive 8’2” reach and a 10’1” jump that puts her at an elite level in the area. Conner is able to impact a lot of plays on both sides of the net and her continual improvement in the other areas of the game have her drawing a lot of Division 1 interest. She is set for a big year with FHC and MVA. [player_tooltip player_id="24859" first="Taylor" last="Humphrey"], MH/OH Byron Center/FaR Out (2022) Another promising talent for Byron Center, the 6’1” middle was a handful for opposing teams to deal with. Humphrey plays well above the net on both sides of the action. She finishes at a high rate and has solid timing on her blocking choices. As part of FaR Out 16 Black, Humphrey is able to move around the net and play the outside as well. [player_tooltip player_id="24876" first="Emily" last="Struckmeyer"], MH Lowell/FaR Out (2022) [caption id="attachment_96392" align="alignright" width="197"] [player_tooltip player_id="24876" first="Emily" last="Struckmeyer"][/caption] Struckmeyer got a chance to contribute as a sophomore for the D1 runner-up in 2019. The Red Arrows liked her finishing ability, as she hit .338 for them. While she didn’t get her number called often behind some big-time hitters, she made the most of each opportunity. She raised her game with FaR Out 16 Black and that should lead to a breakout 2020 season for Struckmeyer. [player_tooltip player_id="91609" first="Leah" last="Rogers"], MH Hudsonville/FaR Out (2022) Rogers is someone that FaR Out has been pretty high on over the last year and it’s easy to see why. The 6’1” middle showed some promising skills for Hudsonville during the 2019 season. She put down 171 kills and had 86 blocks. Her court vision and footwork were exemplary, and she only got better while playing for 16 Black during the shortened club season. Sierra Nausieda, L/DS Grand Rapids Catholic Central/MVA (2022) Nausieda is a spry defender for GRCC and MVA 16 Black. She plays with a lot of grit and puts her body on the line with each point. Nausieda helped the Cougars claim a Division 2 district title in 2019 while providing depth in the back row. Her time as libero for MVA has her prepared to compete for the libero position for GRCC in 2020. [player_tooltip player_id="60837" first="Ava" last="Young"], MH Rockford/FaR Out (2022) Another strong middle for FaR Out 16 Black, Young fits in nicely for the Rockford Rams. She got a chance to elevate her opportunities during the 2019 season and approached 200 kills. Young’s swings got better as the season went along, and her blocking reads were also improving a great deal. Expect big things over the next year for Young. [player_tooltip player_id="92067" first="Marah" last="Griffore"], S Jenison (2022) Griffore is a multi-sport athlete that already has had a big impact for the Jenison program. During her sophomore season, Griffore recorded her 2,000th career assist and that number is sure to skyrocket over the next two seasons. Griffore has the leadership and fundamental skills to be a top-level setter in the Class of 2022. [player_tooltip player_id="49402" first="Sarah" last="Dunn"], OH Forest Hills Central/FaR Out (2023) Dunn has had an eventful last year as she got the chance to compete at the varsity level for the Rangers and contributed quite well as a freshman. During the club season, as part of FaR Out 15 Black, Dunn stepped in to play setter when the injury bug hit the squad. Despite being an outside, Dunn showed the leadership skills to handle a position change and it displayed her all-around skills. Dunn has a lot of potential and will be a name to keep an eye on. Lizzie MacIntosh, MB/OH Rockford/FaR Out (2023) MacIntosh was thrown into the fire for Rockford right away, as she became one of the team’s top hitting options for the 2019 season. She will clearly be a big part of the team’s future. A player capable of playing in the middle or outside, MacIntosh had 223 kills, 143 digs and 53 aces during her freshman campaign. She put forth a productive club season and will be hungry to take the next step in the 2020 prep season. Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id="60838" first="Sophia" last="Shields"], OH Forest Hills Central/FaR Out (2022); [player_tooltip player_id="60841" first="Olivia" last="Howlett"], MH/OH Hudsonville (2022); [player_tooltip player_id="24839" first="Carlina" last="Bender"], L/DS Hudsonville/FaR Out (2022); [player_tooltip player_id="24841" first="Hannah" last="Bitely"], S Northview/FaR Out (2022); [player_tooltip player_id="24856" first="Chloe" last="Fornetti"], L/DS East Kentwood/FaR Out; [player_tooltip player_id="66314" first="Kennedy" last="Louisell"], OH Forest Hills Northern/FaR Out (2023); [player_tooltip player_id="66321" first="Aubreigh" last="Oswald"], MH Lowell/FaR Out (2023); [player_tooltip player_id="66322" first="Avery" last="Palmateer"], S Caledonia/FaR Out (2023); Makenzie Ritsema, MH Grand Rapids Christian/MVA (2023).