Beast of the East: Team Previews (Part 5)
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The event we have all been waiting for! We will finally be seeing 32 of the best teams in the state of Michigan, across all divisions, to one spot for an epic weekend of volleyball! Hosted by Michigan Elite Volleyball…
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Continue ReadingThe event we have all been waiting for! We will finally be seeing 32 of the best teams in the state of Michigan, across all divisions, to one spot for an epic weekend of volleyball!
Hosted by Michigan 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 are going to be breaking down and previewing each team attending the Beast of the East.
Let’s wrap up this break down with our last seven teams coming to the Beast of the East this weekend. A lot of underdog favorites are in the mix and will surely cause some trouble for the big dogs with this weekend.
Jenison
A top 25 team hailing from the Grand Rapids area, Jenison comes in to the weekend very battle tested and ready to create some chaos for their opponents. While with 8 losses on the season, this team has gone toe-to-toe with some huge competition from opening weekend onward. Led by OH Aubrey Johnson Aubrey Johnson 6'1" | OH Jenison | 2024 State MI as the team’s kill leader, she’ll have to come up huge this weekend.
Lakeland
One of the last remaining undefeated teams in the state, Lakeland enters the tournament coming off of their first loss to South Lyon East and a 17-1 record. Despite this loss, this team is going to be dangerous to go against. Led by the play of OH/S Eve Martin Eve Martin 5'11" | S Lakeland | 2023 State MI , team leader in service aces, assists and second in kills, Martin can do it all. Alongside her in the middle is Rachel Zurek Rachel Zurek 6'0" | MB Lakeland | 2023 State MI , a highly terminal attacker who can shut down the biggest of hitters at the net.
Marshall
A regional finalist a season ago, this team is looking to capitalize on last year’s success. The Red Hawks return one of the top defenders in the state and Miss Volleyball nominee, Ella McAllister Ella McAllister 5'4" | DS/L Marshall | 2023 State MI . And she’ll have her hands full this weekend going against some of the top attackers in the state. In Pool F, Marshall will see another stellar defender in Birch Run’s Kalliann Cook Kalliann Cook 5'5" | DS/L Birch Run | 2023 State MI . A match that should be at the top of the list for anyone looking for defensive showdown.
Mattawan
Some representation from Southwest Michigan, Mattawan is another top 25 team coming into the weekend with some high chances of causing uproar. With high hopes for the postseason, the Wildcats could very easily be one of the last teams remaining come Saturday as well. Mattawan looks up their senior opposite, Cece Pelak Cece Pelak 5'10" | RS Mattawan | 2023 State MI , heavily in about every aspect of her game. She’s a lethal attacker across the net and in the back row and can play some stellar defense.
Grandville
A bit of an underdog coming into the tournament. Grandville has the potential for some big time upsets this weekend. They’re led by the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, Zoey Dood Zoey Dood 6'2" | S Grandville | 2024 State #131 Nation MI . A 6’2 setter with the mighty southpaw on two, Dood brings so much to the table, it is impossible to know what is to come from her. Dood runs a very well-oiled machine, while still remaining a potent attacker and blocker. Dood will be going toe-to-toe with the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI . A net match up that will be oh so fun to watch.
Oxford
Another underdog coming into the weekend, Oxford sees themselves set up in a pretty tough pool. Including the likes of the reigning Division 2 and 3 Runner-Ups in North Branch and St. Mary’s Catholic Central, they’ll have their hands full. Surely this squad will put up a great fight against these giants. With
Rachel Townsend
Rachel
Townsend
5'10" | OH
Oxford | 2023
State
MI
leading the way, she’ll have to really deliver for this team to pick up some marquee wins.
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