2025 Club Preview: FaR Out 18 Black

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>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!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has been one of the most decorated 18s teams in the state for the last several seasons. After a national championship run in the Premier Division at AAU Nationals in 2022, 2024 saw FaR Out 18 Black finish Runner-Up in the Open Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is one that consistently relies upon familiar faces to drive them ahead with a touch of new every season. 2025 will see the absence of the highly decorated [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'], as she has gone the early grad route to Ohio State. 18 Black will be led by Joe Steenhuysen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur'] - Forest Hills Northern</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] - Byron Center</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] - Hudsonville</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='224597' first='Abby' last='Pickard'] - Lakewood</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'] - Caledonia</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226876' first='Finley' last='Arp'] - South Christian</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] - Forest Hills Northern</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'] - Jenison</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288946' first='Alana' last='Bailey'] - East Kentwood</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner'] - Traverse City Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156339' first='Layna' last='Waselewsky'] - Forest Hills Eastern</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brand New Look on the Pins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the last several seasons, we have become accustomed to the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'] (Ohio State), <strong>Isabelle Swiercz </strong>(Central Michigan) and <strong>Elana Erickson</strong> (Western Michigan). While Swiercz and Erickson have moved on due to normal graduation, Gauthier has opted for the early grad route and join the Buckeyes this Winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite such loss, this team revamps with some pretty nice looks on the pins. Leading the way is [player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'] (South Alabama). Gaier was a part of this 18 black squad a year ago and found herself well within the starting mix towards the end of the season. She'll be joined by a pair of stand out juniors in [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'] (East Tennessee State) and [player_tooltip player_id='226876' first='Finley' last='Arp'] (Grand Valley State).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Chatfield and Arp have become a dynamic 1-2 punch on the left and right pins over the years. The two were critical pieces in 16 Black's success in 2024. The two moved on to have huge falls at their respective high schools, leading both of their teams to a Regional Final appearance in Division 1 and Division 2 respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Gaier and Chatfield will most likely take the brunt of their time on the left pin and playing a lot of six rotations. 18 Black is notorious for running with a 6-2 system, and this will allow the squad to save up on some subs and maybe even utilize a tough back row attack with either option. Arp, while got a lot of love on the left pin in the fall, will see a bulk of her time back on the right pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":556987,"width":"266px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/FDAA8227-902D-4E53-86ED-6CFF4EBBC6DC.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-556987" style="width:266px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middles Get an Upgrade</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there is no more <strong>Kendall Hopewell </strong>(Northern Kentucky), the middle game for this team is still at an elite level. Returning both [player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner'] (South Alabama) and [player_tooltip player_id='288946' first='Alana' last='Bailey'] (Ball State) from last year's squad, these two would often rotate in the position. Both can really explode off of two feet and in front of the setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, they add on one of the fastest growing prospects in the junior class with [player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] (Western Michigan) from Forest Hills Northern. For the last several seasons, Zimmerman has headed up her teams at MVBTA and almost led them to a gold bracket Day 4 at AAU Nationals last year. This player proves to be a HUGE addition to FaR Out. With not only her height and her physicality, this player is so dynamic offensive, giving this squad a real nice look at a lethal slide attacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Will Win the Jersey?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another position where FO has a trio of riches, who will be wearing the libero jersey this season? Last year graduated the long time libero Carley Piercefield (Western Michigan), so it opens the field wide open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 Black brings up both [player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] (Grand Valley State) to the squad to join the lone DS returner, [player_tooltip player_id='156339' first='Layna' last='Waselewsky'] (Eastern Michigan). All three of these defenders are coming off of huge high school seasons too. Johnson was a driving force to an unpredicted deep run into the MHSAA Tournament and Armstrong was a state leader in overall digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be a position that we see Coach Steenhuysen rotate around with. All three of these players are some of the best in the state and coming into the club season with a lot of momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Standard</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":666366,"width":"259px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC01886.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-666366" style="width:259px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In her third and final season on the 18 Black squad, [player_tooltip player_id='224597' first='Abby' last='Pickard'] (Northern Kentucky) will be joined by yet another high level setter in [player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pickard has been well within the mix of this squad and their success for each of the last three seasons. In her first year on the 18s, they would win the Under Armour Emperor's Cup before changing up to 17 Black and finishing Top 5 at AAU Nationals running a 5-1. She followed up with an 18 Open Runner-Up finish last season, losing to Munciana Samurai in the finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stotenbur on the other hand is another vastly growing prospect in her junior class. This fall looked to have been her best body of work yet and really showcased her ability to lead the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between the two of these players, and the offensive pieces they have at their disposal, 18 Black will be one tough crew to crack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Season Predictions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the last several seasons, the top 18s team at FaR Out have done incredibly well. This coming season will look to be no different. Despite the loss of Gauthier, this team still holds up as one of the top contending teams in the country when it comes to AAUs. However, in that regard, it isn't saying much.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FaR Out has been a team long known for foregoing the USAV route. However, in this day and age, that is where all the talent goes. If this team chooses to compete in the USA circuit, I could see them putting up some real good fights in vying for an open level bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->