2024 Club Preview: Rise Academy 61

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVA has worked out a partnership with The Grand Rapids Rise professional squad to bring Rise Academy to the club courts this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rise Academy 61 is a strong looking team, as it brings some of the best and brightest from the Grand Rapids area together, including some 2026 prospects that have already established a name for themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490356' first='Mallory' last='Bremer'] – GR Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490359' first='Tava' last='Burchett'] – Northview</td><td>Leah Burlison – Hudsonville</td></tr><tr><td>Savannah Byker – Zeeland East</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] – Rockford</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='468822' first='Sadie' last='Devlaeminck'] – EGR</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] – Rockford</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226901' first='Madelyn' last='Hungerford'] – EGR</td><td>Scout McAllister – FH Northern</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='227707' first='Gracelynn' last='Olson'] – Fruitport</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='523849' first='Avery' last='Seif'] – Caledonia</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dominant hitters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't have to look far on the roster to find some powerful hitting on Rise Academy 61.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] </strong>has been one of the most productive 2026 hitters in the state during her first two prep seasons. She was the dominant arm for Rockford this past fall with over 550 kills and over 400 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hosford has a lot of nice hitters around her on the outside in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490356' first='Mallory' last='Bremer']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490359' first='Tava' last='Burchett'] </strong>and <strong>Leah Burlison</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burchett is from the GR Northview program and she's an explosive 5'8” outside that can bring the hammer. She attacks sharp angles and can fly off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bremer comes from the Grand Rapids Christian program and has a balanced game. She can make a variety of plays at the net and remain a consistent defensive presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burlison brings a 6'1” frame to the pins. Her length and athleticism make her an impact player offensively and defensively. She's got a high ceiling and her game should take some big jumps forward this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Meet in the middle</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with a lot of athletic outsides, Rise is going to be working with talented middles that can take over a game in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226901' first='Madelyn' last='Hungerford']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='468822' first='Sadie' last='Devlaeminck']</strong> and <strong>Savannah Byker.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hungerford and Devlaeminck both come from East Grand Rapids. Both stand 6-foot and were among the offensive and blocking leaders for EGR in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hungerford has a physical attack where she can dial up some big power. Devlaeminck has a little more wingspan to utilize and can work over blockers well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byker comes from Zeeland East and she does a good job of maximizing her opportunities. She plays a high swing that allows her to challenge the defense and generate a lot of speed to the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Setting and defense</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having great hitters doesn't mean much if you can't get them the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That won't be an issue for Rise Academy 61, as they have a pair of standout setters in Rockford's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] </strong>and Fruitport's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227707' first='Gracelynn' last='Olson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delacher and Olson have both been in high-pressure situations on the prep scene since they were freshmen. They've gone up against the best hitters and blockers in the state and that has helped sharpen their games, making them very mature and experienced setters for 2026 prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both quickly gel with their hitters and they can play at a very fast pace while also being defensive and serving assets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of defense, Rise Academy 61 has Forest Hills Northern's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446698' first='Scout' last='McAlister'] </strong>and Caledonia's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523849' first='Avery' last='Seif'] </strong>to handle back-row duties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seif was a workhorse libero for Caledonia during the prep season. She was throwing her body around the court to make tough plays against a lot of great power hitters. Her serve receive was excellent as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McAlister got a chance to really improve through the Huskie practices, going against two of the state's best hitters. She's in line for a breakout 2024 prep season as she gets more opportunities. McAlister has the skillset to be elite and also has a very challenging serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Early Season Results</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rise Academy 61 took part in The Nike Classic a couple of weeks ago, competing in the 16 Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They had a strong schedule of opponents and went just 2-5 on the weekend, but got a lot of big-match experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The learning experience should help this team as it gets set for the Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis this upcoming weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a big opportunity to again face the best of the best and see what they learned from The Nike Classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has plenty of potential, so its just about putting all the pieces together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->