Grand Rapids Area’s 2025 Stars, Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grand Rapids area can hold its own for having the best volleyball talent in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look no further than the Class of 2025, which has a number of players already committed to Division 1 college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the second part of our 2-part look at the top 2025 players coming out of Grand Rapids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players listed alphabetically</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231189' first='Josie' last='Noble'], MH Caledonia/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit, Noble has been one of the most productive middles in the state, both in kills and in blocks. Her blocking ability ranks right up there with anyone. She's got great reach along the net and precision timing with her jump. Offensively, Noble finishes at a very high rate, as she is able to uncork some powerful attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'], DS/L GR Christian/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peal is one of the best defenders in this class. She's got a lot of big-match experience against all the top hitters in the state. Peal is also a game-changing server. She racks up the aces and can turn a match around in an instant. Peal never looks rattled, which is why she seems to excel in the big situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224599' first='Avery' last='Powers'], MH Coopersville/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powers is fitting well into the Coopersville history of dominant middles. She can use her quickness to attack from anywhere on the floor, but a quick set in the middle to Powers is almost a guaranteed point. What's impressive about Powers is her ability to take on a big workload and not fatigue down the stretch. She just keep coming at the defense point after point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156334' first='Ella' last='Taatjes'], MH East Grand Rapids/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another long middle in this collection, Taatjes has shown the ability to play on the outside and succeed as well. She plays shots across her body well and is able to make last-second adjustments to beat the defense. Taatjes has the power to put down some electric kills, but it's her crafty side that makes her a very dangerous player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kate VanderHill, MH Unity Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VanderHill is a 6-foot, left-handed power arm that is a menace at the net. She's one of the stronger blockers in the area, as she gets a lot of height on her block. Offensively, VanderHill's left-handed delivery from the middle causes some confusion for opponents that they struggle to adjust to. She can play some shots and angles that not many other middles can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'], OH Rockford/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Visser didn't get to see much time during the regular season due to injury, but she was a big force for Rockford as a freshman. She's got a smooth delivery on her attack and can adjust quickly to put the ball where the defense isn't. As a defender, Visser stays locked in to be an impact blocker and reliable passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156339' first='Layna' last='Waselewsky'], OH/DS Forest Hills Eastern/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An Eastern Michigan commit, Waselewsky is a standout defender and could be a libero at the next level. However, she's got an impressive offensive game that makes her a threat from anywhere on the floor. Her ability to finish as a hitter will make her a back-row threat as a primary defender. Her athleticism to play around the floor, as well as her quickness, is why she's among the top passers in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->