Eight Grand Rapids Area Players Putting A Stamp On 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The 2026 Prep Dig Exposure Tour hits Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 6. We've now added Universal Speed Testing as part of the event, which is open to 2027-2030 prospects.</em> <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/exposure-tour-michigan"><strong><em>Get signed up for the event</em></strong></a> <em>now and use <strong>promo code ET26DREW25OFF</strong> to get <strong>25% off</strong> your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grand Rapids area is rich with volleyball talent each and this season has seen some new faces emerge to be amongst the group of top players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While some were already established, they still have made big strides in their game. Others have stepped up in bigger roles and proven they can handle the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's eight players from the Grand Rapids area that have put their stamp on the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908353' first='Kenna' last='Deters'], Jr. MH Byron Center</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deters has definitely been a player raising her stock this year. She was an impactful player as a sophomore for Byron Center, but has taken her game to another level this year. Her court vision has really improved, giving her more tools to her already explosive attack. She plays with a great feel for the game right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845506' first='Finley' last='Grashuis'], Jr. OH East Grand Rapids</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior is stepping up this year for EGR, as she is already approaching a career-high in kills and digs. She's going to be over 200 in both categories before long, and providing a nice boost on offense and defense that the Pioneers really needed coming into 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ella Haarsma, Jr. MH Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's something about those Hudsonville middles. Alongside teammate [player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Megan' last='Glass'], Haarsma is putting the ball away at a high rate in the middle for Hudsonville. The junior is hitting .322 as part of an impressive offensive attack for the Eagles. Haarsma's also been a real force on the block, with nearly 50 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041164' first='Kinsley' last='Hippey'], So. DS/L Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenison is another team with great talent around the flood, but Hippey is a young talent that is showing a lot of promise at libero. She's been able to hold her own against a lot of big hitters around the state. She keeps her composure and never looks overwhelmed. Playing alongside some other great defenders, Hippey should continue to make big strides each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809442' first='Zoey' last='Klunder'], Sr. DS/L GR Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Rapids Christian has arguably been the best team in the state. While the Eagles are stacked with offensive talent, the play of Klunder is arguably what has pushed them over the edge to being the best. She's got great instincts in the back row and communicates well to make sure the ball stays off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502408' first='Kayleigh' last='Miersen'], Sr. OH/DS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miersen is a player that is just doing a little bit of everything for Caledonia this season. She's leaving it all on the court, able to be a big asset in the back row while still coming through with some timely kills. She's also been one of the strongest servers in the area to keep Caledonia in the mix with the top Grand Rapids-area squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881556' first='Stella' last='Polavin'], Jr. OH FH Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies are filled with talent that can put the ball away, but Polavin has been a key addition to that attack this fall. She's become one of the primary finishers, using a good mix of power and accuracy to end points against strong teams. Polavin has a lot of intangibles that are going to make her one of the top hitters over the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839870' first='Harper' last='Schaedig'], Jr. OH Lowell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of people have stepped up for the Red Arrows this season, but the junior outside deserves some flowers for her play. She's been leading a balanced offensive attack and also is one of the team leaders in digs and aces. Schaedig has been a player Lowell is able to count on, while consistently playing against top competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->