2026 Dead Frog Club Profile: 17 Black

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An always competitive club team in Southwest Michigan, Dead Frog volleyball features a talented group for its 17 Black squad this club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dead Frog has competed in two events, placing in the top 10 in both, a positive sign for what might be ahead over the next few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at this 17 Black team, which is coached by Kenneth Herbert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='513265' first='Anna' last='Overway'] - OH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='699957' first='Brynn' last='Swetz'] - MH/OH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='833455' first='Julie' last='Kucera'] - OH/DS</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='840109' first='Avalon' last='Chumita'] - RS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='840289' first='Ellie' last='Kinne'] - RS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='817930' first='Rece' last='Helsom'] - MH</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='792197' first='Avery' last='Klopp'] - S</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='795006' first='Jordyn' last='Erdody'] - DS/L</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='882815' first='Rachael' last='Denison'] - DS/L</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Balanced Outsides</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dead Frog 17 Black is going to bring some quality outsides to the court that can handle defensive responsibilities as well as go on the attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513265' first='Anna' last='Overway']</strong> is an athletic outside that puts everything into her play and her energy is infectious. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699957' first='Brynn' last='Swetz'] </strong>is a 6-foot option that can play the outside or the middle and gives this team some length and ability to play well above the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833455' first='Julie' last='Kucera'] </strong>is another outside option that can also slide into a DS role with her high-level of awareness. She's very locked in and anticipates the play well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840109' first='Avalon' last='Chumita'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840289' first='Ellie' last='Kinne'] </strong>are two right-side options that give this offense a lot of flexibility and can keep opponents guessing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817930' first='Rece' last='Helsom'] </strong>is a middle option that doesn't have the length of some of her peers, but she gets a lot of lift off the floor and puts a lot of emphasis on her swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Klopp Running The Show</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='792197' first='Avery' last='Klopp'] </strong>is the solo setter on this roster. The Grand Ledge product is doing a good job of getting acclimated with all her hitters and finding the right timing for each one. Klopp communicates well and can be an on-court leader that others can turn to in the tight moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Defensive Aces</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dead Frog 17 Black feels good about its defensive options. Along with Kucera, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795006' first='Jordyn' last='Erdody'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='882815' first='Rachael' last='Denison'] </strong>make up the back row talent. Erdody got a lot of experience facing powerful hitters this fall and it's paying off in her technique this club season. Denison is a 2028 prospect that's joined the roster. She shows a lot of promise and learns quickly from any missed opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dead Frog has a good feel for where its place is right now. They have been racking up a good amount of wins, but their losses toward the end of the weekend show them where they can get better. They are going to be outsized in a lot of matches, but their energy and persistence will be a key strength. 17 Black has a lot of hitters that are tough to slow down when they get on a roll, so finding the hot hand could lead this team to some big wins in the months ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->