2024 Club Preview: FaR Out 17 Black/17 Gold

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>Just like that, club season is upon us!</p>   <p>After another incredible high school season, this club season is proving to be another big one for Michigan-based club teams. In 2023, we saw national champions be crowned as well as many top finishes from all ages from these prestigious clubs. It's time to look to the future and see what these clubs have in store for us in 2024. </p>   <p>Now, onto the 17s age group. Let's take a look at FaR Out and what they have going on for both their 17 Black and 17 Gold teams.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Black</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487149' first='Olivia' last='Inthout'] - South Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur'] - Forest Hills Northern</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] - Hudsonville</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] - Jenison</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156342' first='Abby' last='Leffring'] - West Michigan Christian</td><td>Ella Dekylen - Tri Unity Christian</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487153' first='Jessica' last='Maier'] - Caledonia</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288960' first='Reese' last='Lowe'] - Byron Center</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487154' first='Ally' last='Kragt'] - Hamilton</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156300' first='Sadie' last='Haase'] - Fruitport</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288959' first='Alyssa' last='Krol'] - Cedar Springs</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HC: <strong>Rachel Netzler</strong>; AC: <strong>Brian Netzler</strong></figcaption></figure>   <p>This is a team coming into the 2024 season after finishing top 5 in Premier last year at AAUs. With a little bit of a different look, this team still remains a strong contender in both the 17 Open/Premier Divisions this season.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3>   <p>This roster consists of pins with a mix of different qualities that surely compliments each other very well. Each of these players are returners from last year's squad and will surely be able to step up in big ways with a few new faces. </p>   <p>Starting off with some of the bigger pins, we have [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='487154' first='Ally' last='Kragt']. Both of these players stand at around the 6'0-6'1 area, and are still uncommitted. Kelly is coming off of a really promising 2023 year. After transitioning to the pin during last club season, she was a part of the scary Jenison team that had everyone on the edge of their seats in Division I. She plays a really strong game on either pin and could become a go-to early on for 17 Black. Kragt is a player that I didn't get to see much this fall. But towards the end of last club season, Kragt had some really shining moments that could translate more consistently this go-around.</p>   <p>Now, looking at the other half of the pin roster, we have a pair of mid-sized players in [player_tooltip player_id='288960' first='Reese' last='Lowe'] and Ella Dekylen. While a little undersized at 5'9/5'10, these two players bring a lot of pop to their play as well as control. Both Lowe and Dekylen are really strong six rotation players that can bring sound ball control as well as a wide scoring range. The two are coming off of big high school seasons as Lowe was an instrumental piece in a Sweet 16 finish for Byron Center and Dekylen was named an All-State First Teamer in D4.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory</h3>   <p>The middle is going to be a little more slim than last year's roster, but still a very strong component for this team. Both [player_tooltip player_id='156300' first='Sadie' last='Haase'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156342' first='Abby' last='Leffring'] return for another go around in the black and gold. Both of these players found themselves in crucial roles in last year's team. Due to injuries and what not, both Haase and Leffring got themselves a lot of looks in both the middles and the right pin from time to time. </p>   <p>Haase has really come into her own over the last couple months. Coming on strong for a promising Fruitport team in the fall, she found her star shining as bright as ever. Likewise for Leffring, West Michigan Christian found themselves back in the Division 3 conversation this fall, much to the thanks of Leffring's growth in play.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defenders</h3>   <p>If there is anything to know about FaR Out, its that they have GREAT ball control and defense, and LOTS of it. For 17 Black, they have themselves some options in terms of their libero and DS options. Looking to battle out for the jersey, we have [player_tooltip player_id='487149' first='Olivia' last='Inthout'] and [player_tooltip player_id='288959' first='Alyssa' last='Krol']. </p>   <p>Inthout is a player in the mix for this team. She comes with a really strong high school resume at South Christian HS, Inthout was a key piece in their final four run in 2022. As for Krol, Krol played a big role as an impact DS for 16 Black a season ago. The two could very easily take over the reigns of the libero jersey.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3>   <p>Much like their options in every other position, this team has plenty of them when it comes to setting. 17 Black brings on three setters to their roster in 2024. The list includes [player_tooltip player_id='487153' first='Jessica' last='Maier'], [player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] and a 2026 pull-up, [player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur'].</p>   <p>Maier and Stotenbur are new additions to this squad from a year ago. Maier makes the jump from 16 Red, a team that finished 5th in 16 Classic at AAUs. She had a really strong season as well with Caledonia, too. Stotenbur is the young pup of the group, while technically a sophomore, her age allowed her to play on 14 Black last season. The jump Stotenbur managed to make throughout these last couple months had her jump up a few age groups as well. Stotenbur came on so strong this fall that she set Forest Hills Northern all the way to the Division 1 title match in November.</p>   <p>For Armstrong, she is a returner to this squad and offers up a lot of versatility. She's coming off of a huge high school with Hudsonville, Armstrong was a part of that team's 6-2 offense. Hudsonville was considered the top team for the bulk of the fall. While I anticipate her to run some of the offense, Armstrong's defense could give her some big opportunities as a DS as well. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Gold</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='446694' first='Amelia' last='Gagnon'] - West Catholic</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='502209' first='Bella' last='Lewis'] - Lansing Catholic</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='228627' first='Olivia' last='Saylor'] - Jenison</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487143' first='Emma' last='Underwood'] - Kalamazoo Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487156' first='Mia' last='DeVries'] - Grandville</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='237538' first='Annalise' last='Clark'] - Lowell </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156314' first='Kylie' last='Loehfelm'] - Forest Hills Northern</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487136' first='Kylie' last='Anderson'] - Mattawan </td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='216201' first='Cara' last='Wolf'] - GR Catholic Central</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='502206' first='Bianca' last='Bower'] - Hudsonville</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='502207' first='Lauren' last='Bower'] - Hudsonville</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487157' first='Khloe' last='Budzynski'] - Coopersville</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HC: <strong>Chris Schaffer</strong>; AC: <strong>Aubrey Lenz</strong></figcaption></figure>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3>   <p>Much like their 17 Black counterparts, 17 Gold has another really promising bench of pins. With the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='487157' first='Khloe' last='Budzynski'], [player_tooltip player_id='156314' first='Kylie' last='Loehfelm'], and [player_tooltip player_id='228627' first='Olivia' last='Saylor'] on deck, this trio could be a very strong one for opponents to handle. </p>   <p>All three of these players are coming off of really strong high school seasons in one capacity of another. For Budzynski, she turned out to be one of the shining stars of the fall on the west side. An emerging talent out of the ever-promising Coopersville cannon, Budzynski had a lot of heads turn with her explosive nature at the net and from behind the service line. </p>   <p>For Loehfelm, she proved herself to be an impact player for the Division I State Runner-Ups, Forest Hills Northern. An impressive body from behind the service line, Loehfelm also offers up a lot of size at the net that can be troublesome for opposing attackers. </p>   <p>And lastly, Saylor is another one of those Jenison kids that created a lot of mayhem throughout the season. Much like Loehfelm, Saylor was a big role player for the Cats, but will be a huge piece to 17 Gold's puzzle in returning to AAUs and looking for another high finish.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory</h3>   <p>Outside of [player_tooltip player_id='487156' first='Mia' last='DeVries'], this is a really new look for this group from a season ago. Joining DeVries comes [player_tooltip player_id='487143' first='Emma' last='Underwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='502207' first='Lauren' last='Bower']. Two really promising additions in the middle for this team.</p>   <p>For the returner, DeVries, she was a mainstay for 16 Red a season ago. Another promising player, she got to get a lot of looks for Grandville this fall and will be sure to carry that success over to the club season. Similarly, Underwood is another one that got a lot of looks in the fall. Establishing the middle strength for the Division III state champs, Kalamazoo Christian, this championship experience will bode 17 Gold well. Rounding out the roster, Gold brings on Bower. Another promising middle from Hudsonville, she could be an exciting piece towards the end of the season.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defenders</h3>   <p>Much like their 17 Black counterparts, this is another stacked bench of defenders. With four potential liberos on deck, including two 2026 players, this creates a really strong line up.</p>   <p>Of the two 2025 defenders, Gold brings on [player_tooltip player_id='446694' first='Amelia' last='Gagnon'] and Bianca Bowers. Of this quadrant of DS's, I would expect Gagnon to be the one taking on the libero jersey. After this fall that saw West Catholic run all the way to the Division II title, Gagnon was one of the most vital pieces to that team. She's riding a wave of serious momentum coming into club. For Bowers, she's another Hudsonville product that comes from a really stacked program of defenders. Surrounded by such talent, I am intrigued to see her shine.</p>   <p>For the 2026 talents, we have both [player_tooltip player_id='216201' first='Cara' last='Wolf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='237538' first='Annalise' last='Clark'] joining 17 Gold. These two were both huge players for last year's 15 Black team, one of the top 15s teams in the country. The two bring on a really strong presence in the back court with a lot of fire and grit. Their youth and experience should gauge very well with this crew of older players. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3>   <p>Rounding out the roster for 17 Gold, we have a duo of setters, [player_tooltip player_id='502209' first='Bella' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='487136' first='Kylie' last='Anderson']. Another pair of players with a lot of upside and a lot of promise going into the club season. Lewis and Anderson are both very dynamic setters who a play a very similar style game. In a 6-2 system, these two could operate a highly effective offense. With their defense behind them, combined with these setters, this could be a really exciting team coming into the latter parts of the season.</p>