Can Dead Frog 18 Black Be a Top Team In Michigan?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking at teams that can make some noise at the 18U level from the state of Michigan, Dead Frog 18 Black is definitely worth a second look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The southwest Michigan club is playing very well early in the 2025 club season, placing in the top 10 of two 18 Open events already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a very talented 2026 prospect joining some college-bound 2025 players, Dead Frog is likely to keep the successful play going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elite Middles</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The strength of this Dead Frog roster has to be its middles, who are among the most explosive and powerful in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes'] </strong>is a 6-footer that is committed to play at Connecticut next fall. She's showing all the great instincts you want to see in a player with her athletic ability. She can put the ball down with ease. She's joined on the roster by 2026 USC commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks']</strong>. Standing 6'3”, Hanks already has elite length at the net, but she combines that with tremendous footwork, timing, and explosiveness. These two draw a lot of attention at all times, opening things up for their outsides while forcing opposing offenses to have to avoid them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Complimentary outsides</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While owning the middle of the net, Dead Frog has some potent outsides to work with as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482160' first='Livi' last='Overbeek']</strong> has been racking up solid kill numbers thus far. The Davenport commit can attack at all angles and has a great mixture of shots. <strong>Annelise de Jong </strong>is a 6-foot force on the pins as well. She plays well above the net and has been a major blocking force early in the club season. <strong>Sophie Munch</strong> is a well-rounded player that has gotten hot at the net in a few matches as well. The Aquinas commit shows a lot of good defensive instincts, as does <strong>Lauren Khoenle</strong>, who has been as important with her passing as she has been with her attacking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Experienced setting, defense</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the hitting Dead Frog has, it needs to have talented setters to complement. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'] </strong>is committed to the College of Charleston and runs the offense along with <strong>Abby Baushke</strong>. Bates is also able to play the right side if needed. She's got a high IQ and able to make key plays with her setting, hitting, blocking, serving and defense. Baushke is also a veteran talent that sees the court very well and can be a difference-maker from the service line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of defense, <strong>Camille Oxley </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288963' first='Marley' last='Onken']</strong> round out the team with their DS talents. Onken is committed to Wayne State and is a great on-court leader. She's very composed in the back row and makes difficult digs look effortless. Oxley is precise in her decision-making, always making a good first step to getting square to the ball. She can pick up a lot of digs in short succession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What to expect in 2025?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dead Frog has been really impressive in its ability to shake off bad sets and still win matches. They have short memories and know that they can get on a hot streak very quickly. Most of their losses have been by a few points, so this team should be able to work through that as they continue to play more matches together. This squad has been the top-finishing Michigan 18U team at the two events they've competed in. With big events coming in St. Louis, Kentucky and Indianapolis in the next few months, Dead Frog should be a team to watch out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->