Dead Frog 17 National Black 2024 Club Overview
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The southwest side of the state has a very talented 17U team that is making some waves in 2024. Dead Frog 17 National Black is full of hitting power and technically-sound players that give them a dangerous combination for opponents…
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Continue ReadingThe southwest side of the state has a very talented 17U team that is making some waves in 2024.
Dead Frog 17 National Black is full of hitting power and technically-sound players that give them a dangerous combination for opponents to deal with.
Already with some big wins under their belt, here’s a look at this potent team.
Amelia Kuiper – Mattawan | Anneliese De Jong Anneliese De Jong 5'11" | RS Kalamazoo | 2025 State MI – Kalamazoo Christian | Jordyn Hughes Jordyn Hughes 6'0" | MB Portage North | 2025 State MI – Portage Northern |
Sydney Bates Sydney Bates 5'11" | S Portage Northern | 2025 State MI – Portage Northern | Livi Overbeek Livi Overbeek 6'0" | RS Battle Creek Lakeview | 2025 State MI – BC Lakeview | Taliyah Hanks Taliyah Hanks 6'2" | MB Loy Norrix | 2026 State MI – Loy Norrix |
Marley Onken Marley Onken 5'7" | DS/L Portage Northern | 2025 State MI – Portage Northern | Lauren Khoenle – Portage Central | Taygan Corstange Taygan Corstange 5'4" | DS/L Gull Lake | 2025 State MI – Gull Lake |
Zara Pirbhai – Mattawan |
Dangerous middles
You don’t have to look too hard at the roster to figure out where Dead Frog can compete with anyone.
Their middles are at an elite level behind Jordyn Hughes Jordyn Hughes 6'0" | MB Portage North | 2025 State MI (Connecticut) and Taliyah Hanks Taliyah Hanks 6'2" | MB Loy Norrix | 2026 State MI .
Hughes is a 2025 prospect already locked in with a D1 commitment. She comes from Portage Northern where she was an All-State player in 2023.
Hanks is a 6’3” 2026 middle prospect that has big things in her future.
Both players are extremely explosive off the floor and have a lot of length to utilize. That allows them to play well above the net and come down hard on the ball. Hughes has one of the fastest arms you will find and Hanks isn’t too far behind.
These two also have a seamless connection with setter Sydney Bates Sydney Bates 5'11" | S Portage Northern | 2025 State MI . Bates comes from Portage Northern, so her connection with Hughes is at an elite level. The two know how to work off each other very well. Bates is also getting the best out of Hanks, as she’s showcasing her full arsenal this club season. She’s got the footwork and court awareness to be an unstoppable force in the middle.
Hughes and Hanks are also big factors defensively, as they can slow down a lot of opposing attacks and force offenses to have to work around them.
Outside compliments
Dead Frog has five different outside options to utilize, with Bates doing a good job of keeping them all in the mix with her accurate setting and speed of play.
Anneliese De Jong Anneliese De Jong 5'11" | RS Kalamazoo | 2025 State MI is coming off a championship season with Kalamazoo Christian and has been one of the most consistent finishers on the outside for Dead Frog this club season. The 6-foot hitter can finish from either pin and her agility allows her to make a lot of out-of-system plays.
Livi Overbeek Livi Overbeek 6'0" | RS Battle Creek Lakeview | 2025 State MI brings consistency with her swing to the outside. She’s always putting a nice pop on the ball and does a good job of mixing up her attack angles.
Zara Pirbhai also is attacking from both pins and she brings a lot of good forward momentum on her swings. Her timing on her swing is typically solid and she can put a solid ball into the back row.
Amelia Kuiper doesn’t have the size and length of some of her teammates, but she’s an explosive player that shows a lot of competitive fire. She can put down a nice ball from the front or back row, and is going to compete hard at the net.
Lauren Khoenle is another outside option that has been more of a defensive asset this season. She’s been very steady with her passing and serve receive to keep the offense in-system.
Defensive experience
To go along with Khonele, Dead Frog has a pair of veteran defenders leading the way in the back row.
Taygan Corstange Taygan Corstange 5'4" | DS/L Gull Lake | 2025 State MI was a dig machine last fall for Gull Lake and continues to be so as the libero for this squad. Corstange just has a nose for the ball, but is so seamless in her play that she can make plays others can’t. Corstange stays ahead of the play and can get the ball quickly to the setter so Dead Frog can leave opponents caught flat on their feet.
Marley Onken Marley Onken 5'7" | DS/L Portage Northern | 2025 State MI is like having two liberos on the court. The Portage Northern libero is a DS for the squad that plays at an elite level to compliment Corstange. Along with her high-rated serve receive and passing, Onken also has a great serve to help the club swing momentum.
Early results
Dead Frog has been competing primarily in the 17 Premier Divisions, but also took a dip into the 17/18 Open Division of The Nike Classic early in the year.
No matter where they are put, Dead Frog is giving a good run against all its opponents.
They have finished ninth in their last two outings, including the President’s Day Classic in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago.
Dead Frog started the weekend hot with three straight wins before suffering losses in three of their last four. Two of those matches went into three sets.
Dead Frog has the hitting to compete with anyone, it’s just a matter of staying in-system and being on top of their blocking to slow down opposing offenses.
This is a team that is likely going to come through with some big “upsets” along the way because of their talent level. When they find that next gear, they can be real dangerous.