2021 Club Preview: FaR Out Volleyball Club

The FaR Out Volleyball Club has proven it is one of the best club programs in the state. Gathering many of the best on the West side of the state, FaR Out doesn’t have to take a back seat to anyone. For the 2021 club season, FaR Out again looks loaded with talent and is giving some young players a chance to step up on a higher level. Here’s a breakdown of the Black squads for FaR Out in 2021. 18 Black [caption id="attachment_115981" align="alignright" width="231"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-115981" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/GRC-Evie-Doezema-2-231x300.jpg" alt="" width="231" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"][/caption] Coached by Joe Steenhuysen and Jordan Drake, this squad features a variety of 2021 and 2022 players. This year, it even includes 2023 middle [player_tooltip player_id="66293" first="Kennedy" last="Arp"] from Grand Rapids South Christian. Leading the squad is six-rotation outside [player_tooltip player_id="14192" first="Jenna" last="Reitsma"] (Marquette), who has established herself as one of the best in the state and can do it all on the court. She is joined on the outside by 2021 power [player_tooltip player_id="50300" first="Anna" last="Smith"] (College of Charleston), along with 2022 talents [player_tooltip player_id="24871" first="Maradith" last="O’Gorman"] (Michigan State), [player_tooltip player_id="24859" first="Taylor" last="Humphrey"] (Rutgers) and [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"] (Michigan State). The endless power on the outside is accompanied by dominant middle play as well. [player_tooltip player_id="14185" first="Aubrey" last="O’Gorman"] (Michigan State) and [player_tooltip player_id="50308" first="Anna" last="Butler"] (North Florida) join Arp as a trio of explosive arms that can hit and block. The team also has a lot of setting options with 2021’s [player_tooltip player_id="50289" first="Lydia" last="Harper"] (Miami-Ohio) and 2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="24845" first="Renee" last="Brines"] and [player_tooltip player_id="151377" first="Alyssa" last="DeVries"]. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id="14165" first="Abby" last="Boyle"] (Valparaiso) and [player_tooltip player_id="50322" first="Emma" last="Hall"] (Gannon) will handle the load while Smith can also move to the back row when needed. This team is really talented and could be the best 18’s squad in the state, but they also have a lot of players remaining in the MHSAA playoffs. It could take some time for this team to come together and get on track, but when they do, they could push for a top 20 spot nationally. 17 Black [caption id="attachment_119747" align="alignright" width="256"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-119747" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/Lowell-Emily-Struckmeyer-256x300.jpg" alt="" width="256" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24876" first="Emily" last="Struckmeyer"][/caption] Coached by Kelly Delacher and Katie VanderMeer, this squad is comprised of all 2022 players, which is a very strong class in the Grand Rapids area. With a number of elite 2022 talents moving up to 18 Black, this squad will rely on its overall depth. On the outside, 17 Black has [player_tooltip player_id="151379" first="Calista" last="Bremer"], [player_tooltip player_id="24866" first="Emma" last="Mirabelli"], Sydney Zandstra and [player_tooltip player_id="60838" first="Sophia" last="Shields"]. [player_tooltip player_id="151382" first="Kate" last="Luurtsema"] also can play in the middle or on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id="60841" first="Olivia" last="Howlett"], [player_tooltip player_id="91609" first="Leah" last="Rogers"], [player_tooltip player_id="24876" first="Emily" last="Struckmeyer"] and [player_tooltip player_id="60837" first="Ava" last="Young"] make up a really promising group of middles. [player_tooltip player_id="24841" first="Hannah" last="Bitely"] and [player_tooltip player_id="137571" first="Mackenzie" last="Delacher"] will be the setters while [player_tooltip player_id="24839" first="Carlina" last="Bender"] and [player_tooltip player_id="137574" first="Alina" last="Anderson"] are the two primary defenders. As this squad figures out the hitting lineups and matching up the right pieces, it will need to rely on its quality defenders and passers. Look for this team to pull off some upsets, but also have get upset a few times throughout the season. At their best, they should remain a top 17’s squad in the state. 16 Black [caption id="attachment_115980" align="alignright" width="222"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-115980" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Lakewood-Skylar-Bump-222x300.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66296" first="Skylar" last="Bump"][/caption] Coached by Abby Monson and Brooke Francisco, this squad is comprised of all 2023 talents. This team should be lead by their steady and consistent outside hitters. [player_tooltip player_id="66314" first="Kennedy" last="Louisell"], [player_tooltip player_id="66299" first="Sarah" last="Dunn"] and [player_tooltip player_id="140475" first="Taylor" last="Stephens"] don’t have the size of some of their peers, but they play very consistent in all phases of the game and still show that explosive talent to compete at the highest level. [player_tooltip player_id="108764" first="Rachel" last="Steele"] and [player_tooltip player_id="140476" first="Meredith" last="Simmons"] are also options on the outside or the middle, giving the team some flexibility. [player_tooltip player_id="140490" first="Kayla" last="Ozanich"], [player_tooltip player_id="66321" first="Aubriegh" last="Oswald"], [player_tooltip player_id="140491" first="Paige" last="Sanders"] and [player_tooltip player_id="66315" first="Lizzie" last="Macintosh"] are also primary middles for 16 Black. Oswald missed the prep season with a knee injury, but will provide a big boost to the team when she returns around March or April. [player_tooltip player_id="66296" first="Skylar" last="Bump"] and [player_tooltip player_id="66322" first="Avery" last="Palmateer"] will handle the setting and need to step up their game to help their undersized hitters finish against the length they will consistently see on the other side of the net. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id="140477" first="Madi" last="Derby"] and [player_tooltip player_id="140480" first="Abi" last="Curtis"] will patrol the back row and be crucial to the team’s success as well. All-in-all, this team is a work in progress but should be among the best in the state for 16’s. Fundamental play will be important as they don’t have the size to overpower teams. 15 Black <img class="size-medium wp-image-125085 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/Lakewood-Carley-Piercefield.jpg" alt="" width="276" height="300" />Coached by Megan Steenhuysen and Kyleigh Block, 15 Black has a roster of all 2024 talents outside of OPP [player_tooltip player_id="173621" first="Sienna" last="Murphy"]. She’s part of a promising group of hitters, led by [player_tooltip player_id="110296" first="Ellie" last="Fles"] a 6-foot middle/outside option. [player_tooltip player_id="110305" first="Kendall" last="Hopewell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="110308" first="Mila" last="Kavara"] are other middle/outside options that have a lot of power in their swings. [player_tooltip player_id="110295" first="Elana" last="Erickson"], [player_tooltip player_id="110332" first="Avery" last="Weslow"] and [player_tooltip player_id="110334" first="Ava" last="Wilcox"] are the primary outsides for the team. All are strong passers that will compliment the defensive play of [player_tooltip player_id="110318" first="Carley" last="Piercefield"], [player_tooltip player_id="110279" first="Gianna" last="Bender"] and [player_tooltip player_id="153669" first="Hayley" last="Carr"]. Piercefield is coming off an All-State season as a freshman for Lakewood and already competes again prolific hitters. [player_tooltip player_id="110278" first="Caroline" last="Baker"] will be the lone setter on the roster, but is very comfortable with the hitters on the roster and runs a smooth offense. This squad could contend for the best 15’s in Michigan and is eying a top 30-50 spot nationally is the finishing ability of the hitters improves throughout the season. <a href="https://bit.ly/351tTIA">Related: Legacy Volleyball Club Preview</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/3bljlYI">Related: Michigan Elite Club Preview</a>