2024 Club Preview: FaR Out 18 Black/18 Gold

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like that, club season is upon us!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another incredible high school season, this club season is proving to be another big one for Michigan-based club teams. In 2023, we saw national champions be crowned as well as many top finishes from all ages from these prestigious clubs. It's time to look to the future and see what these clubs have in store for us in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting on the west side, let's take a look at FaR Out. Going from oldest to youngest, here's a preview to FaR Out's 18 Black and 18 Gold teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] - Hudsonville</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] - Forest Hills Northern</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] - Forest Hills Northern</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='224597' first='Abby' last='Pickard'] - Lakewood</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] - Lakewood</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'] - Shelby</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110278' first='Caroline' last='Baker'] - Byron Center</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110296' first='Ellie' last='Fles'] - South Christian</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='176598' first='Jenna' last='Southland'] - Three Rivers</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>[player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'] - Caledonia</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288946' first='Alana' last='Bailey'] - East Kentwood</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HC: <strong>Joe Steenhuysen</strong>; AC: <strong>Michele Lurye</strong></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is not only one of the top 18s teams in the state of Michigan, but this is arguably a top 20 team in the country. FaR Out 18 Black returns a bulk of its core from a season ago. Last year this team consisted primarily of players from this current class, now they're true 18s kids. With the addition of some other younger players including returners like Gauthier and Pickard, this group is poised for yet another big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":480479,"width":"163px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/State-Finals-Part-2-10.jpg?w=762" alt="" class="wp-image-480479" style="width:163px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These may be some of the best pins you'll find around. Versatile in their play, they can bring as good of a touch on their first contact as they can on the third. This team has options when it comes to their pins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the key returners, we have Miss Volleyball nominees [player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] (Central Michigan) and [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] (Western Michigan). These two have been side by side for almost the entirety of their club careers and have created a deadly combo. Swiercz and Erickson are two players that bring a lot of fire, both offensively and defensively. Among the other returners, [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'] (Ohio State) joins the party. A Division III Player of the Year this past fall, Gauthier is one of the most promising talents that the 2025 class has to offer. A dominating presence with her booming swings and bellowing blocks, Gauthier is well-accustomed to scoring at a high, efficient level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with these three returners, 18 Black will add on some additional fire power that includes that likes of [player_tooltip player_id='110296' first='Ellie' last='Fles'] (Hillsdale) and [player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'] (South Alabama). While, technically, Fles was on the roster last year for this group, a nagging injury would see her not only sidelined the entirety of last club season, but this past high school season as well. An expected healthy Fles could add some real nice depth in terms of fire power for this squad. Gaier led the charge on 16 Black last year. Being named to the AAU All-America list after leading her team to a Top 5 finish. This player is becoming a real solid prospect from the 2025 class as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In comparison to last year, this team is looking brand new in the middle. With a touch of youth and emerging talent, this group still remains a threat in the middle with plenty of options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the only returner to this squad, [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] (Northern Kentucky) is looking for one last go-around with 18 Black. Last club season saw Hopewell turn as a opposite/middle hybrid with her abilities to hit a combination of shots. I wouldn't be too surprised if we see her continue to play that similar role. Off one foot, off two feet, in front of the setter, or behind the setter; Hopewell can do it all. She's an impeccable blocker as well which keeps her front and center of this crew.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":493534,"width":"196px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/9-Kendall-Hopewell-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-493534" style="width:196px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside Hopewell, 18 Black brings in some new and exciting pieces to this year's puzzle. [player_tooltip player_id='176598' first='Jenna' last='Southland'] (Hillsdale), [player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner'] (South Alabama), and [player_tooltip player_id='288946' first='Alana' last='Bailey'] make up of the rest of this middle territory. Southland has become one of the middle blockers in this class, especially this past fall with Three RIvers. An explosive, athletic player; Southland was heavily considered to be one of the top players in Division II volleyball this fall. Heffner is another pull-up from 16 Black. Alongside Gaier, Heffner was another one on that squad that did some heavy lifting en route to their Top 5 finish. Rounding out the group, comes in Bailey from 15 Black a season ago. Yet, another burgeoning talent out of the 2025 class, Bailey could be a sleeper prospect throughout the season. Explosive and dynamic in her play, she showed a lot of promise with her time on 15 Black. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you have pins with such great ball control and defense, it can make the libero and DS's jobs look easy. Add into the fact that you have one of the top libero prospects in the 2024 class, it's a well-earned feat to get a ball down on this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning for her final go-around in a FaR Out jersey, I feel we've been watching this 'bro ball out for ages now. [player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] (Western Michigan) has cemented herself as one of the top defenders in the state for the last several years now. In her swan song with FaR Out, I am sure Piercefield wouldn't mind going out with another National Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining Piercefield comes another highly-respected 2025 kid, [player_tooltip player_id='156339' first='Layna' last='Waselewsky'] (Eastern Michigan). Somewhat of an under-the-radar prospect in the early stages of her career. However, in 2023, Waselewsky really came onto the scene in a big way. I'm excited to see her in tandem with Piercefield throughout the club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out this 18 Black group, we got to take a look at these setters. They're a pretty big deal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again, 18 Black will look to the 6-2 system to ride throughout the club season. Of the two setters, both played up on 18s a season ago. [player_tooltip player_id='224597' first='Abby' last='Pickard'] (Northern Kentucky) being a returner to 18 Black, [player_tooltip player_id='110278' first='Caroline' last='Baker'] (Grand Valley) is a newbie to this team via 18 Gold last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last club season proved a really big year of growth for both setters. Pickard, in her first year playing up, seemed to find the reigns fairly quick. After winning the Emperor's Cup in Las Vegas, she got to prove herself in a 5-1 scenario and led 17 Black to a Top 5 finish at AAU Nationals. For Baker, while it wasn't necessarily the results of 18 Gold that stood out. It was the growth of play that we saw this fall that stood out. Regarded as one of the top setters in Division I this fall, Baker and Byron Center were mere points away from being in the Elite 8 in November. A huge jump from the previous fall due to Baker's growth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18 Gold</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Mari Hansen - Portage Central</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='500658' first='Lydia' last='Uganski'] - Jenison</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='500663' first='Mackenzi' last='Bennett'] - Byron Center</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='500654' first='Alivia' last='Everitt'] - Lakewood</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'] - Jenison</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='110334' first='Ava' last='Wilcox'] - Lansing Catholic</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='500659' first='Bri' last='Whitfield'] - Byron Center</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='500664' first='Ashley' last='Palmer'] - Rockford</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='153669' first='Hayley' last='Carr'] - Hudsonville</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='184676' first='Ava' last='Ford'] - Hudsonville</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HC: <strong>Alan Kaufman</strong>; AC: <strong>Courtney Cronkright</strong></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From 18 Black to 18 Gold. Here's a sneak peak at the rest of the 18s age group has to offer from the FaR Out cannon. This is another group that tends to be highly competitive in the club scene year after year. 2024 looks no different with some exciting players entering the chat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While this is a group full of undersized pins, it's also a group full of high-flying athletes. Don't let the size fool you, because they can soar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few examples of this come from [player_tooltip player_id='500659' first='Bri' last='Whitfield'] (Albion), [player_tooltip player_id='110334' first='Ava' last='Wilcox'] (Albion) and [player_tooltip player_id='500663' first='Mackenzi' last='Bennett'] (Trine). Three players, all listed in the 5'7-'9 range, but all have an incredible leaping ability on the court. Whitfield is coming off of huge high school season that saw her nearly in the Elite 8 with Byron Center. She turned it on hard during the high school season to turn the tides for Byron Center. Right alongside Whitfield was Bennett at Byron Center. The two made for a really nice combination that had many teams in shambles. Wilcox has been a mainstay for Lansing Catholic for the majority of her high school career and this season remained no different. The three will surely make an enticing rotation on the pins for 18 Gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the pins, we have a player that some may say is undersized, but standing at 6'0, [player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'] (Cornerstone) has a slight advantage over her counterparts. Much like her teammates on Gold, Johnson had a really big senior year at Jenison. Finding her rhythm and making Jenison into one of the most dangerous teams in Division I. Johnson was much to thank for that. She was named to the All-Tournament team at the Beast of the East after propelling the cats to a championship appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be a slim roster of middles, but a pretty strong one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='500654' first='Alivia' last='Everitt'] (Rochester) has becoming a prominent presence in the Lakewood cannon over the last few seasons. Strong at the net, Everitt has become a really stronger scorer and blocker for the Vikings and should translate quite nicely to 18 Gold. [player_tooltip player_id='500658' first='Lydia' last='Uganski'] (Concordia)has been a mainstay throughout the club for a few years now. She's really come on strong the last few months. On that dangerous Jenison squad in the fall, she was the main reason defenders weren't already camping out on their outside heavy offense. Uganski should be a go-to weapon for this squad throughout the winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a really strong libero/DS duo given the fact that these two have been playing together nearly year round throughout their careers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 Gold will be equipped with a Hudsonville duo that had huge fall campaigns with the top team in Division I. [player_tooltip player_id='153669' first='Hayley' last='Carr'] (Davenport) and [player_tooltip player_id='184676' first='Ava' last='Ford'] (Cornerstone) both split time in and out of the line up due to systems that Hudsonville ran, but regardless of this, both made a substantial impact when they met the court. Going into the club season, the two should be poised for a very strong final outing at FaR Out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the 18 Gold roster, we have another pair of setters from the 2024 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Mari Hansen (Juniata) and [player_tooltip player_id='500664' first='Ashley' last='Palmer'] are coming off of really nice fall seasons. With Portage Central and Rockford being well within the top of the crop in the Division I space, these two players were heavily involved in operating those offenses. Together, these two could make a very strong combination with the crew that they have. Hansen will be prepping to make work at the defending NCAA Division III champions, Juniata, while Palmer remains uncommitted at this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->