Beast of the East: Team Previews (Part 4)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event we have all been waiting for! Bringing 32 of the best teams in the state of Michigan, across all divisions, to one spot for an epic weekend of volleyball! You do not want to miss this!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hosted by [program_tooltip program_id='431551' first='Michigan' last='Elite Volleyball Academy'] at the UWM Sports Complex in Pontiac, Michigan, only the best of the best will be on tap for this event. These teams are so good in fact, we have to be break 'em all down and preview each team attending the Beast of the East. Making Prep Dig your one-stop-shop of all things, Beast of the East related.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On to the next seven teams attending this weekend, we begin to see a little more divisional mix with Division 3 heavyweights Plymouth Christian and St. Mary's Catholic Central joining the party.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Novi</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team that is no stranger to playing spoiler already this season, Novi could very easily sneak up on a few teams at Beast of the East. Led by Miss Volleyball nominee OH [player_tooltip player_id='66340' first='Sarah' last='Vellucci'] (Long Beach State), Vellucci proves to be the glue to this team time and time again. With her pristine ball control and timely cues on the attacking front, she keeps Novi in constant conversation. With OH/L [player_tooltip player_id='66308' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hoffman'] (Ohio State) and L<strong> Sumire Katsumata</strong> to back up Vellucci, this trio makes up one damning defensive line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Plymouth Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not many small fish in this pond, but if anyone can take on the big fish, it'll be Plymouth Christian. A team that is fresh off of a Runner-Up finish at the D3/4 Showdown, Christian is ready for another step up in competition. Junior OH [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] leads this squad on the left pin alongside her younger sister [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] in the middle. The two prove to be a great 1-2 punch and will have to come up huge in this weekend's competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Notre Dame Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's anything to be known about this team, it's that there is no off year. Coming into 2022, this seemed to be a "rebuilding" year for Notre Dame Prep. As the season goes on, they're cleaning up quite nicely. One of the biggest stories is the emergence of MB Grace Wenaas. Wenaas, just a season ago was averaging 1.5 kills per set, to now bolstering close to 4.5 kills to a tune of .514 on the season. Alongside L [player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent'] (Alabama) and S [player_tooltip player_id='66331' first='Margo' last='Sudzina'], this is a potent trifecta for the Fighting Irish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Saline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with the loss of MB [player_tooltip player_id='110282' first='Mallory' last='Bohl'], Saline is still a top contender coming into this tournament. Lead by the left side duo of [player_tooltip player_id='140484' first='Anna' last='Hesse'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'], the two combine for close to eight kills a set. Backing these two are L [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] and S [player_tooltip player_id='173605' first='Laney' last='Burns'] (Edinboro), the two are both posting great numbers on the season thus far and are only getting better. The Hornets are coming into the weekend on a massive hot streak taking down, not one, not two, but three straight top ten opponents. This squad is stepping into their bag and showing no signs of getting out anytime soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>St. Mary's Catholic Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another one of the small fish in the big pond, St. Mary's Catholic Central is no stranger to going toe-to-toe with the big fish. Competing in the Mercy Power Series, the Kestrels are more than comfortable with the challenge. With the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] on the left side leading the way, it's to no wonder they've scheduled themselves so tough. The two will be huge difference makers at The Beast of the East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Stoney Creek</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A little bit of an underdog, this team shouldn't be counted out. Somewhat in a rebuild after losing OH Sydney Tomlak (Duke), this team can still bring a fight to the court. Lead by the likes of S [player_tooltip player_id='172200' first='Julia' last='Gojcaj'] and L <strong>Ana Cano</strong>, these two are truly the heartbeats of this team. Gojcaj can run such a dynamic offense and can heavily credit that to Cano's defense and ball control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Mount Pleasant</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a heavy mix of the east and west sides of Michigan, Mount Pleasant brings in the lone representation of Mid-Michigan. Currently sitting third in the highly competitive Saginaw Valley League, the Oilers bring in some high level volleyball. The Oilers will look upon OH <strong>Aubree Garcia </strong>heavily to keep them in the mix amongst the best of the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Join us at the<a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/09/the-prep-dig-top-250-expo-series-is-back-2/">&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotPDExpo250 for 10% off your registration fee. Register before October 19th for the early bird special!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->