East vs. West Showdown: East Team Recaps

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four of the top teams on the East side of the state were on display in the East vs. West Showdown on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of the four teams got to meet up with five of the top teams in the West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an early look into teams we could be seeing in Battle Creek come November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/east-vs-west-showdown-west-team-recaps/">broke down the teams from the West</a> on Friday. Here's what we saw in the teams from the East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":450377,"width":238,"height":233,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_6133.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-450377" style="width:238px;height:233px" width="238" height="233" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Maci Kaake</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending D2 champions put up a strong showing on Thursday, going 4-1 with the lone loss coming against unbeaten Hudsonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Branch brought a predictably strong game. They are experience and technically sound almost everywhere on the court. Where they have question marks is in the middle. The Broncos don't have a returning starter in the middle and their lack of size at the net was noticeable against some of these powerful D1 programs. Good news for North Branch is it didn't impact their play much. They still held their own just fine. Further good news for North Branch, they aren't going to run into many D2 teams with the kind of size they saw on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Handling the middle this season is <strong>Hannah Thomas </strong>and <strong>Maci Kaake</strong>. Each had some moments during Thursday's event. Both look committed to getting better and Kaake brings some power to the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was the usual cast of characters shining for North Branch. Outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110291' first='Alana' last='Deshetsky']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] </strong>are all very steady and consistent players. They don't force a power swing that isn't there. They make the smart plays and don't beat themselves. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] </strong>is as reliable as it comes at libero. At setter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110302' first='Adrienne' last='Greschaw']</strong> is also a great veteran leader on the court for North Branch. She split time at setter on Thursday with <strong>Brookelynn Franklin</strong>, keeping things fresh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":450375,"width":248,"height":259,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_5098.jpg?w=978" alt="" class="wp-image-450375" style="width:248px;height:259px" width="248" height="259" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ashley Krahe</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 D1 runner-up showed its going to be a top contender once again this year. While working in new go-to players, there will be some bumps in the road at times early in the season. However, the Mustangs have a lot of athleticism and depth to work with. The lone loss came in three sets with Hudsonville. They were the lone team to take a set from the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northville is going to be strong in the middle. The pair of seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson'] </strong>and <strong>Ashley Krahe</strong> are going to be a handful. Both stand over 6 feet tall and bring a lot of athleticism to the court. Both can move across the net well and are imposing blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] </strong>are now going to be the primary outside options for Northville and both showed a lot of improvement in their overall games. They each dialed up the intensity in key moments and display on-court leadership. With junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] </strong>running the offense, she will keep these hitting options able to finish at a high rate. Craggs plays fast and makes good decisions. Here defensive play can go overlooked as well because she's such a strong setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame']</strong> were solid in the back row as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] </strong>is dealing with an injury, which just shows how deep the back row is for Northville. All three are great with first contact and cover a lot of space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Saline</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":450329,"width":212,"height":279,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_6523.jpg?w=777" alt="" class="wp-image-450329" style="width:212px;height:279px" width="212" height="279" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110282' first='Mallory' last='Bohl']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A semifinalist in 2022, the Hornets were hard to figure out on Thursday, going 2-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They showed stretches of playing like the semifinal team they were a year ago, but then had stretches where they struggled to find momentum. Either way, Saline was in a lot of tight sets. Eight sets on the day were decided by two points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big thing for Saline is it was good to see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110282' first='Mallory' last='Bohl'] </strong>back on the floor following a knee injury that had her miss most of 2022. Bohl is a major impact player and as she gets back to 100 percent, it's going to be a big boost for the Hornets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saline has a lot of hitting depth to work with outside of Bohl. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio']</strong> is one of the top junior outside hitters and put together some service runs that shifted momentum in Saline's favor. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'] </strong>also has an added level of intensity at the net this year. She's improved her finishing rate and gives Saline a big 1-2 punch on the outside. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='191143' first='Sidney' last='White'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='189713' first='Addison' last='Ashley'] </strong>also had some big moments offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] </strong>is an eager libero that is always working to get better. She has a short memory and moves on well after a missed opportunity. Behen will be the piece that keeps this whole team together. Her leadership and ability to rally the offense will be key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grosse Pointe South</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":450394,"width":282,"height":246,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_5782.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-450394" style="width:282px;height:246px" width="282" height="246" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gabby DiVita</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GP South wasn't able to pick up a win on Thursday, but the Blue Devils did go three sets with Rockford and Forest Hills Northern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is clear that GP South is going to rely heavily on sophomore <strong>Gabby DiVita</strong>, with good reason. The outside stands 6'2”, but moves very quickly on the floor and is a dynamic player. DiVita has a lot of big-match experience on a national stage during club play, and she shows the maturity of a senior on the court. DiVita is composed and confident and is able to take command despite being an underclassman. DiVita takes on a lot of swings, from the front row and back, and brings a lot of velocity from both locations. She just has a natural feel for the game and is going to keep GP South in the mix against any opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key for the Blue Devils will be finding players that can compliment her. They do have a 6-foot middle <strong>Ally Edwards</strong> that shows some potential, as does middle <strong>Alex Lupo</strong>. Both do a good job of staying active and making some plays defensively. <strong>Morgan Duff</strong> is a sophomore setter getting a chance to lead the offense. She definitely has some chemistry with DiVita, and as she adds more confidence and experience, she can be an X-factor for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->