Beast Of The East Standout Underclassmen Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Beast of the East wasn't just a showcase of the top players in the state, it was also an opportunity to see many of the future stars of prep volleyball in Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was just too many to note in one article, so here's the first of three pieces looking at the underclassmen that made an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487136' first='Kylie' last='Anderson'], So. S Mattawan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson has good command of the Mattawan offense, setting a smooth ball that has the Wildcats hitting at a high rate, especially to their primary hitters. Anderson is also very instinctive defensively, making some tough digs against top hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Macey Brown, Fr. OH Mattawan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown was someone that Mattawan was comfortable putting their faith in during key points, and she came through multiple times. A great all-around athlete, Brown was big on the block during key stretches, while also putting down some highlight-reel kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'], So. OH Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Busignani already established her reputation for being a star player prior to Beast of the East, but Saturday forced her to really have to elevate her game. With the injuries to a pair of Marian hitters, Busignani had to take on a lot of swings and dig deep into her gas tank. She did just that and held her own against the best junior and senior hitters in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'], Fr. OH Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chatfield definitely looks like a future star in the state. As a freshman, she's taking swings from the back row and finishing, but also has a good mix of speeds and arm angles at the net. The game seems to come very natural for her, including her defensive play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Madalin Hersman, Fr. DS/OH Forest Hills Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hersman was a promising contributor to FH Northern defensively. She's quick in the back row and able to read opposing attacks well. Hersman also came through with some key blocks throughout the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'], Fr. S/OH Imlay City</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keeping caught some eyes with her ability to make plays all around the court. She keeps her head on a swivel and was finishing points with good placement on her attacks. Keeping also has a smooth set that connects well with her hitters. She's also got promising passing skills that will only get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'], So. MH Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly is another young star for Jenison. She's very imposing at the net with her attacks and blocking. At 6'1”, she's able to cover a lot of space with her wingspan, but also combines a lot of explosive athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Kenzie McCombs, So. S Lakeland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCombs is one of two setting options for the Eagles, sharing in the role with standout senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108719' first='Eve' last='Martin']</strong>. But, she's definitely grown into a confident setter when it's her turn running the offense. She's making good decisions and putting up a nice ball for a great front row of hitters at Lakeland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'], Fr. OH Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bloomfield Hills freshman has been having a monster year with nearly 350 kills and over 130 blocks. This weekend she was able to show she can finish points against some of the best in the state. She put down seven against Novi and eight against a long Grand Haven defensive front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224599' first='Avery' last='Powers'], So. MH Coopersville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powers is part of a great offensive front for Coopersville. She provides a nice compliment to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108716' first='Emily' last='May'] </strong>in the middle and has a lot of chemistry with long setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66341' first='Hayley' last='Wegener']</strong>. Powers is able to finish from the middle or the outside and is quick on her feet to make plays offensively and defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156333' first='Jillian' last='Swierbut'], So. OH Grand Haven</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swierbut is part of an impressive offensive group of players at Grand Haven. She's got very impressive form on her attacks and is able to place the ball at tough locations. Swierbut was using sharp angles to finish points and did a good job of reading opposing blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Kendall Williams, So. MH Grand Blanc</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams stands 6'0” but plays even longer. She's finishing at a high rate when her number is called and her blocking instincts are starting to improve. Williams is finding her next gear and proving to be an asset to Grand Blanc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->