Underclassman Run the Beast of the East 2023
In this article:
Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball! Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee. (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS) – The Beast of the East has…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingBe sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!
Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee. (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)
–
The Beast of the East has stormed through Michigan. One of the most hotly anticipated tournaments of the year, only the best of the best show up.
This year’s tournament was dominated once more by the Marian Mustangs, winning their 3rd title in four years. Meanwhile, the West side of the state showed up and showed OUT! Jenison found themselves in the championship, while Rockford took down the top dog in Division 1.
While the volleyball was red hot at the UWM Sports Complex, the hottest of plays came from the underclassman. This year’s Beast of the East was riddled with some of the most elite underclassman the state has to offer. Many are already program leaders and other’s had breakout weekends.
Take a look at some of the top underclassman from the 2023 Beast of the East tournament.
Calli LeFevre Calli LeFevre 5'11" | OH Marian | 2027 State MI – Marian
Leading the charge of the freshman Mustangs on this Marian squad, Calli LeFevre Calli LeFevre 5'11" | OH Marian | 2027 State MI has left her mark on her Beast of the East debut. LeFevre was a nice dose to compliment Isabelle Busignani Isabelle Busignani 6'1" | OH Marian | 2025 State #73 Nation MI throughout the day en route to the title. The freshman notched over 25 kills, hitting an impressive .500 in the quarterfinals match against Mercy.
Karis Chatfield Karis Chatfield 5'11" | OH Jenison | 2026 State MI – Jenison
The emergence of Karis Chatfield Karis Chatfield 5'11" | OH Jenison | 2026 State MI this season is a huge reason Jenison has been so hot lately. Never deterred and never too rattled, Chatfield’s overall game was center stage all throughout the day. She knocked down 69 kills on top of digging up 72 balls. Chatfield is the definition of a gamer and came up clutch in the semifinal versus Rockford with 8 kills and 12 digs.
Rylee Paddock Rylee Paddock 5'9" | DS/L Jenison | 2027 State MI – Jenison
In a field stacked with veterans in the libero jersey, I almost didn’t realize that Jenison’s defensive captain was only a freshman. There was no sense of freshman play here, Rylee Paddock Rylee Paddock 5'9" | DS/L Jenison | 2027 State MI plays like a seasoned ‘bro. Paddock had a great introduction to the top of the crop on Saturday and performed really well. With over 40 digs on the day, what impressed me the most was Paddock’s ability to show up in the big matches. In the match versus Marian, she logged over 4.5 digs/set.
Aubree Deshetsky Aubree Deshetsky 5'9" | OH North Branch | 2026 State MI – North Branch
In a group chock full of senior heavy-weights, Aubree Deshetsky Aubree Deshetsky 5'9" | OH North Branch | 2026 State MI has absolutely no problem holding her own. In fact, Deshetsky has found herself at the forefront, leading the Broncos in kills and second in digs on the season. The six rotation player had a nice outing at Beast of the East, leading North Branch to the semifinals and bringing in 47 digs throughout the day.
Mallory Wandel Mallory Wandel 6'0" | OH Rockford | 2027 State MI – Rockford
One of the youngest on a squad full of underclassman, Mallory Wandel Mallory Wandel 6'0" | OH Rockford | 2027 State MI showed a lot of promise at her first Beast of the East. A player with a nice feel for the court and where to place the ball, Wandel was up for the challenge this weekend. She would go on to have 34 kills on the weekend which including 9 in the comeback win over Grand Haven.
Liv Hosford Liv Hosford 5'11" | OH Rockford | 2026 State MI – Rockford
From one underclassman to the next, Liv Hosford Liv Hosford 5'11" | OH Rockford | 2026 State MI quickly solidified herself as one of the top dogs in the gym on Saturday. Hosford is as a complete of a player as they come. She leads the Rams offensively and has a nice touch defensively. In an All-Tournament Team performance, Hosford had her hands all over a pair of upsets. In a come from behind win against Grand Haven (Down 0-8 in the third set), Hosford propelled Rockford with 14 kills. She would go on to follow up against No. 1 Northville with 10 kills in a sweep.
Mallory Woiteshek Mallory Woiteshek 6'3" | OH Grand Haven | 2027 State MI – Grand Haven
Mallory Woiteshek Mallory Woiteshek 6'3" | OH Grand Haven | 2027 State MI continues to make herself a case for rookie of the year honors in 2023. Grand Haven may have had an unideal early bow out of the gold bracket on Saturday, however Woiteshek’s star continues to shine. The 6’3 freshman outside has the capabilities to take over matches. With 40 kills on the weekend, Woiteshek ran tables during pool play. The Buccaneers would come up short against Rockford in the gold bracket opener.
Madeline Dettling Madeline Dettling 6'0" | OH SMCC | 2026 State MI – SMCC
At last year’s Beast of the East, Madeline Dettling Madeline Dettling 6'0" | OH SMCC | 2026 State MI fell a bit under the radar. This year, Dettling had many heads turning. 26 kills on the weekend, Dettling was a huge piece to the No. 2 team in Division 3 holding their own against some of the biggest teams in Michigan.
Riley Pilat Riley Pilat 5'11" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2026 State MI – Plymouth Christian
From one D3 team to the other, Riley Pilat Riley Pilat 5'11" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2026 State MI also had her fair share of highlights on Saturday. Traditionally an outside, playing in the middle, Pilat held her own. Knocking down over 21 kills in four matches, Pilat always comes up in clutch plays. Against North Branch, Pilat was the go-to arm with 7 winners.
Grace Goodyke Grace Goodyke 6'1" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2027 State MI – Grand Rapids Christian
Grand Rapids Christian found themselves in one of the toughest pools at Beast of the East. Going into the final match of the day, it was looking to be a 3-man race for top seed. Freshman OH Grace Goodyke Grace Goodyke 6'1" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2027 State MI continued to find herself at the forefront of the Eagle’s offense. Young and mighty, she was the arm to get her team out of the sticky plays. Against the best of the best, Goodyke thrived.
Kate Kalczynski Kate Kalczynski 6'1" | OH Mercy | 2027 State MI – Mercy
Mercy was without S Campbell Flynn Campbell Flynn 6'2" | S Mercy | 2025 State #4 Nation MI and without their first reserve. Despite this, Kate Kalczynski Kate Kalczynski 6'1" | OH Mercy | 2027 State MI still managed to shine on the court. The freshman phenom has been lighting up the area since her first few swings in August. At Michigan Elite on Saturday, she showed even more mature play beyond her years. Kalczynski was making some great adjustments and scoring very well.
Elise Biermann Elise Biermann 5'11" | DS/L Eisenhower | 2027 MI – Utica Eisenhower
There was a reason Elise Biermann Elise Biermann 5'11" | DS/L Eisenhower | 2027 MI was highlighted in the Beast of the East previews. Much to Utica Eisenhower’s enjoyment, this was a breakout weekend for the freshman. Not only did Bierman knock down 20+ kills through four matches, but she was integral to the upset victory over No. 2 Grand Rapids Christian. In the match versus the top dog in D2, Bierman brought in 9 winners on a .400 clip to lead Ike to a No. 1 seed.
Makayla Naves Makayla Naves 5'7" | DS/L Grand Blanc | 2027 State MI – Grand Blanc
Get you a player that can do it all. That’s what Makayla Naves Makayla Naves 5'7" | DS/L Grand Blanc | 2027 State MI had to this weekend. While Naves has been manning down the back court with the best of them this season, an early injury to Kendall Williams Kendall Williams 6'1" | MB Grand Blanc | 2025 State MI in the middle had Grand Blanc maneuvering the puzzle pieces. After this injury, Naves stepped up to plate to swing on the left side and did really well. While a smaller attacker, Naves is equipped with a great leaping ability that had her fitting right in at the net.
Other Notable Underclassman
Kayla Nwabueze Kayla Nwabueze 6'2" | MB Bloomfield Hills | 2026 State MI – Bloomfield Hills
Addison Stepp Addison Stepp 5'8" | DS/L South Lyon East | 2027 MI – South Lyon East
Allie Davison Allie Davison 5'10" | S Bloomfield Hills Marian | 2026 State MI – Marian
Madison Geer Madison Geer 5'9" | OH Frankenmuth | 2026 State MI – Frankenmuth
Skylar Marteen Skylar Marteen 5'9" | OH Northville | 2026 State MI – Northville
Meredith Martin Meredith Martin 5'7" | DS/L Marian | 2026 State MI – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Rease Buza Rease Buza 5'7" | DS/L Eisenhower | 2027 MI – Utica Eisenhower
Cree Hollier Cree Hollier 5'8" | MB Mercy | 2026 State MI – Mercy
Jillian Ferrill Jillian Ferrill 6'1" | OH Lake Fenton | 2026 State MI – Lake Fenton
Abbigayl Sells Abbigayl Sells 5'3" | DS/L Lake Fenton | 2026 State MI – Lake Fenton