2024 Club Preview: FaR Out 15 Black

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like that, club season is upon us!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next on the list, the 15s age group. This is another really exciting group of teams coming in for the FaR Out teams. Let's talk about FaR Out 15 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'] - Grand Rapids Christian</td><td>Brooklynn Brassard - Mattawan</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky'] - Portage Central</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski'] - Grand Rapids Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'] - Jenison</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490374' first='Elizabeth' last='Risdon'] - Zeeland East</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490375' first='Cara' last='Crittenden'] - Byron Center</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='442228' first='Avery' last='Thorp'] - Plainwell</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] - Forest Hills Northern</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='490342' first='Sidney' last='Richmond'] - Traverse City Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='454063' first='Miley' last='Southland'] - Three Rivers</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] - Forest Hills Northern</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're turning the corner on the first half of the 2024 club season. FaR Out 15 Black has been building up something really excited going into the latter part of the season. With a top ten finish at the recent Bluegrass tournament in Louisville, this group is putting things together at the right time. Let's take a look at this group from the west side of Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is so strong on the pins. With as many as potentially six options to put on the wings, there is no shortage of talent here. Coming out of the fall, [player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'] was one of the biggest name that this roster had to offer. An MVP performer in her rookie season for Grand Rapids Christian, Goodyke led the Eagles all the way to a Division II Final Four. Goodyke has been relaying this prowess to the club scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside her, there are plenty of names that have been turning some heads. [player_tooltip player_id='490374' first='Elizabeth' last='Risdon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] are two that have been really stepping up their game throughout the early goings. Both Risdon and Loehfelm are players that can crank the ball quite comfortably on either pin, which offers up a lot of options. The two have been making big impact with her scoring ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the group of pins, you got [player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] and Brooklynn Brassard. These two have been steadily seeing their stock rise as well. Johnson, alongside Loehfelm, was a part of that Division I Runner-Up, Forest Hills Northern, squad in the fall. Johnson saw limited time on the court, but with the way her game has been growing, she looks to be a great fill in for the absences left going into the fall. Brassard is another utility player that looks to be an impact sub either in the back court or at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like the power on the pins, the middle position for this team is pretty stacked. Starting off strong, a newcomer to the FaR Out cannon, [player_tooltip player_id='442228' first='Avery' last='Thorp'] has been lighting it up. At 6'2, Thorp moves really well along the net and in transition. As stout of a blocker she is, she's just as effective as an option in the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the trio of middles, [player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky'] and [player_tooltip player_id='490375' first='Cara' last='Crittendon'] are two real exciting players to keep a close eye on. Colosky is a raw, athletic player that is coming into her own. An intense blocker at the net, her prowess as an attacker seems to be more and more defined with every tournament. For Crittendon, this player is another dynamic one who can put the hammer down on the ball. She has a high IQ that allows her to find the court and cause chaos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving to the back court, this group has a duo of defenders that can really hold their own against some of the biggest attackers. [player_tooltip player_id='523838' first='Sidney' last='Richmond'] has been holding down the libero jersey solidly all season long. A product from the Traverse City area, Richmond is playing down a division due to young age. She could be a nice commodity to come on June 15th. Alongside her, [player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'] has been doing some nice work as DS and occasionally attacking. This player is coming off of a rookie high school season as Jenison's libero. She turned a lot of heads given her youth this fall. She continues to shine for FaR Out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And putting the bow on this entire team, the setters. FaR Out is always good for two or more high level setters at each age group, and this one is no different. Lead by [player_tooltip player_id='454063' first='Miley' last='Southland'], she's another player that is playing down due to age. Southland is coming off of a huge fall with Three Rivers that saw her eclipse well over 1,000 assists. Opposite of her, Piper Cebulsky is a player that could be a game changer. At 6'2, Cebulsky brings a lot of offense with her game and is fairly new to the setter position, yet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->