Five Beast of the East Matchups You Have To See
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The 2022 Beast of the East Tournament is set to take place this weekend from the UWM Sports Complex in Pontiac. A 32-team field featuring many of the top teams in the state is annually the best collection of prep…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022 Beast of the East Tournament is set to take place this weekend from the UWM Sports Complex in Pontiac.
A 32-team field featuring many of the top teams in the state is annually the best collection of prep volleyball teams in Michigan in one event.
The eight pools are set that will eventually determine the 16-team gold bracket.
Inside those pools feature some elite matchups that we are very excited about. Here’s five you’re going to want to see.
Marian (No. 1 D1) vs. Lakeland (No. 11 D1)
It’s a battle of unbeatens when the top teams meet up in Pool A on Saturday. Marian is the undisputed top-ranked team right now at 28-0. The Mustangs are definitely the measuring stick with their balance around the court. Lakeland is 17-0, which is nothing to look past. However, the Eagles will definitely be stepping up their competition when they face Marian. This whole tournament will be a big measuring stick for Lakeland to see just where it stands among the best in the state. The matchup that intrigues me for this contest is the battle in the middle. Lakeland has two very strong middles in Rachel Zurek Rachel Zurek 6'0" | MB Lakeland | 2023 State MI and Olivia Krill Olivia Krill 6'0" | MB Lakeland | 2023 State MI . Marian has Mckenzie Swanson Mckenzie Swanson 6'3" | MB Marian | 2024 MI dominating the middle for them. Both teams have setters, Eve Martin Eve Martin 5'11" | S Lakeland | 2023 State MI and Ava Sarafa Ava Sarafa 6'0" | S Marian | 2023 State #14 Nation MI , that feed them the ball in positions to succeed. If Lakeland is going to compete, or even win, it has to win this battle in the middle and their front has to get a lot of paws on Marian’s attacks from the outside.
Saline (No. 7 D1) vs. Forest Hills Northern (No. 2 D1)
Pool C has a great matchup scheduled when Saline and FH Northern meet up. These two collided on Oct. 1 at Hudsonville and split a pair of competitive sets. Saline has been playing really well considering it lost Mallory Bohl Mallory Bohl 6'3" | MB Saline | 2024 State #102 Nation MI early in the season. She’d definitely be a difference-maker to help the Hornets be near the top of the state right now. Sophomore Marie Laurio Marie Laurio 5'10" | OH Saline | 2025 State #147 Nation MI has come through big for Saline and she led the way against the Huskies a few weeks ago. Senior setter Laney Burns Laney Burns 5'10" | S Saline | 2023 State MI has upped her game to help make up for the loss of Bohl. FHN is going to bring the heat behind Kennedy Louisell Kennedy Louisell 6'0" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State #140 Nation MI and Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI on the outside and Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI in the middle. The Hornets will have to find a way to slow down that offense to get the upset win.
North Branch (No. 1 D2) vs. SMCC (No. 1 D3)
It’s not often you get to see the top teams in two divisions meet up, but we get that on Saturday in Pool E. North Branch is the clear No. 1 in Division 2 and SMCC is the clear No. 1 in Division 3 right now. The Broncos just have so much depth right now. Everywhere you look on the court, they have a game-changing player. If in D1, the Broncos could still contend for a state title. SMCC has been the measuring stick in D3 for years. While it doesn’t have the overall depth of North Branch, it still has top-level talent that can compete with anyone. McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI and Jessica Costlow Jessica Costlow 5'11" | OH SMCC | 2025 State #142 Nation MI are going to keep the Kestrels in the mix in this matchup. But, the Broncos have all the arms, one of the best setters in Adrienne Greschaw Adrienne Greschaw 5'9" | S North Branch | 2024 State MI and a top-level libero in Hailey Green Hailey Green 5'1" | DS/L North Branch | 2024 State MI . I think North Branch will have just too much depth to come up short.
Coopersville (No. 12 D1) vs. Mercy (No. 9 D1)
In Pool F, Coopersville gets a chance to show what it can do against the East side of the state when it collides with Mercy. The Broncos have handled themselves well against some of the best in the Grand Rapids area. Now it can show that it can compete with the talent in Oakland County. Emily May Emily May 6'1" | OH Coopersville | 2023 State MI can prove she’s one of the best hitters in the state when she goes into this event this weekend. Mercy has had all of its losses come against top-ranked teams in D1 and D2, including three to Marian. Campbell Flynn Campbell Flynn 6'2" | S Mercy | 2025 State #4 Nation MI can hold her own with anyone. She’s an elite setter/OPP that is arguably one of the best in the entire Class of 2025 nationally. Ella Shields Ella Shields 5'5" | DS/L Mercy | 2023 State MI has been quietly having a strong season on the outside as well to give the Marlins someone to rely on other than Flynn.
Dakota (No. 10 D1) vs. Novi (No. 16 D1)
Pool H features Dakota and Novi meeting up in a battle of two teams with the capability of getting to Battle Creek, but still seeking for that consistency of elite-level play. The Wildcats have taken sets from many of the best in D1, just haven’t found to formula to win the matches. Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI and Kaitlyn Hoffman Kaitlyn Hoffman 5'8" | DS/L Novi | 2023 State #81 Nation MI are tireless workers offensively and defensively. Their effort is a big reason why Novi is as strong as it is. Dakota has all the size and the arms. Erin Madigan Erin Madigan 6'2" | S Dakota | 2023 State MI runs a great offense and has great instincts as a setter and a hitter. The Cougars are hitting over .300 as a team right now. The question for this match is what will shine more? Will it be Dakota’s power, or Novi’s technique?