In the first year of high school boys volleyball as an MHSAA-sponsored sport, the Holland area was full of talent.
Three of the area teams were ranked in the top 10 at some point during the season, with Fennville and Holland Christian remaining there and having postseason runs.
Here is a look at the first Holland Sentinel All-Area Boys Volleyball Team, led by the player of the Year.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ja’Hari Grant
SCHOOL: Fennville
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Middle hitter
NET WORTH: Earned all-conference and second-team all-state honors, leading Fennville to a top-10 ranking at No. 7 in Division 2, the highest of all the local teams. The Blackhawks lost in he regional final to No. 3 Gull Lake. Totaled 300 kills and averaged nine blocks per set.
COACH’S VIEW: “Ja’Hari really improved his efficiency this season and opened up his offense by switching things around and shifting along the net. When he got on serving runs we knew we were in a good position to win any set. I can’t wait to see him grow as a senior and beyond as he continues his volleyball career after high school.” – Toby Hutchins
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM
Avery Baker
SCHOOL: Zeeland
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Outside, right-side
NET WORTH: All-conference in Lakeshore. Totaled 40 Aces, 89% serving, 362 kills, 28 blocks, 170 digs, 2.28 serve receive rating out of 3.
COACH’S VIEW: “Avery is a great all around player. He is a dominant hitter. He is the one everyone is trying to stop when you play Zeeland. He is a great passer & defender. He could be all Conference at any position. He is our voice on the court leading his teammates.” – David Raab
Andrew Colasanti
SCHOOL: Zeeland
GRADE: Sophomore
POSITION: Libero
NET WORTH: All-conference in Lakeshore. Totaled 30 Aces, 90% serving, 7 kills, 57 assists, 346 digs, 2.07 serve receive rating.
COACH’S VIEW: “Andrew is a steady player. He digs up some hard attacks and covers the tip really well. As a passer he makes our setters’ job easier. He has really improved as a server the second half of the season.” – David Raab
Garrison Gardner
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Middle hitter
NET WORTH: Named all-conference honorable mention. Led the team in kills (181) and blocks (44).
COACH’S VIEW: “his was Garrison’s second year on varsity. He became a force this season and continues to be a student of the game. When we really needed a kill, he was our guy.” – Ryan Burke
Will Kender
SCHOOL: Zeeland
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Setter
NET WORTH: Earned all-conference in Lakeshore. Totaled 53 Aces, 87% serving, 117 kills, 18 blocks, 690 assists, 170 digs.
COACH’S VIEW: “Will has led us well. He is an offensive threat from the setters position. He plays smart in his distribution & his own offensive attacks. He rarely calls help for setting. He puts up a very hittable ball. He hasn’t missed a set all season. He is a tough server. He also is a great defender. He is also a great teammate that his team respects & follows as their setter (leader).” – David Raab
Luke Rund-Scott
SCHOOL: Holland
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Outside hitter
NET WORTH: Earned all-conference honorable mention.
COACH’S VIEW: “Luke has a drive to play at a high level and to be successful every time he touches the ball. He’s the guy who wants the ball, and you can trust him when the ball goes to him.” – Mark VanHarmelen
Noah Sauceda
SCHOOL: Fennville
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Outside hitter
NET WORTH: Earned all-conference and third-team all-state. Totaled 331 kills, 183 digs and 42 assists.
COACH’S VIEW: “Noah grew tremendously as an athlete and a leader this year. Despite only playing the sport for two years he was dedicated to improving his craft and it showed on the court. As a leader, we worked closely together to develop those skills, too, and he embraced the challenges that came with it.” – Toby Hutchins
Jesus Salinas
SCHOOL: Fennville
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Setter
NET WORTH: Earned all-conference and third-team all-state. Totaled 601 assists and 134 digs. Had 95% service.
COACH’S VIEW: “Jesus has been a captain since I’ve been a coach. Only our 2nd four year player in program history, he was such a calm and strong presence on the court. A naturally gifted athlete, he stepped up when we needed him to and is our program’s all-time leader in assists with well over 1,000.” -Toby Hutchins
Jose Salinas
SCHOOL: Fennville
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Libero
NET WORTH: All-conference in Lakeshore. Totaled 210 digs.
COACH’S VIEW: “Jose came back for year three this year and embraced being the leader in the back row. He was one of the most vocal players on the court and was always willing to try anything it took to become a better libero.” – Toby Hutchins
Jacob Tinholt
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Outside hitter
NET WORTH: Earned all-conference and second-team all-state honors. Totaled 330 Kills, 37 blocks, 63 aces and 257 digs.
COACH’S VIEW: “As a three-year varsity player and team captain, Jacob’s leadership and energy were key to our team’s success. His experience and hard work allowed him to lead the team statistically on both offense and defense this season. Whether in the front row or back row, Jacob consistently impacted all aspects of the game and was someone that our team relied on at all times.” – Mackenzie Benham
Lucas VanWieren
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Middle blocker
NET WORTH: Earned all-conference and third-team all-state. Totaled 130 Kills, .221 hitting %, 79 blocks, 29 aces, 185 digs.
COACH’S VIEW: “As a two-year Varsity player, Lucas contributed not only as a middle blocker, but also as a six-rotation player this season. Although he did not have much experience with passing, his work ethic and drive allowed him to quickly become a top defender for us. His ability to take smart swings and see the court made him an offensive threat as well.” – Mackenzie Benham
Kyler Young
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Right-side hitter
NET WORTH: All-conference in Lakeshore. Totaled 104 kills, 44 blocks, 21 aces, 180 digs.
COACH’S VIEW: “As a two-year varsity player and team captain, Kyler led by example both on and off the court. He always put the team’s needs first and was willing to step into whatever role was needed. His consistency in passing and hitting, allowed him to play a key role in our offense and defense this season.” – Mackenzie Benham
ALL-AREA SECOND TEAM
Kaden Burgos, Zeeland
Grayson Cole, Zeeland
Joel Cosgrove, West Ottawa
Brody Fredericksen, West Ottawa
Brayden Goodwin, West Ottawa
Levi Klamer, Holland Christian
Dayson Tran, West Ottawa
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Meet the Holland Sentinel All-Area Boys Volleyball Team, led by Ja’Hari Grant
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Dan D'Addona, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
