Who's Coming to Beast of the East? (Pt. 2)

<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee. (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   One of the most hotly anticipated tournaments of the year is FINALLY here!   It's Beast of the East time. With some of the best teams from across the State of Michigan in one gym, the volleyball is going to be epic!   Last year's Beast of the East saw a showdown between Marian and Northville in the finals. While Northville took the ultimate crown, this match up was very predictive of the match up we'd see in the finals come November.   Will this year's tournament predict the future down the road in post-season? Let's take a look at who's coming to Beast of the East.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frankenmuth</h2>   Record: 24-6   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'], [player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='473958' first='Julia' last='Rodriguez']   They're one of the top teams in Division II this year and they're not going down without a fight.   Frankenmuth has significantly beefed up their schedule this season in hopes to propel them in the post season. They've been doing quite well despite the elevated play. With an nice dose of weapons on the pins and solid reception, it's tough to land these eagles. Leading Muth is OH [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'] (Marshall) alongside sister [player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'], both on the left pin. The two go all the way around the court, passing and always a viable scoring option. In the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='473958' first='Julia' last='Rodriguez'] has been making steady work. A great offensive weapon to keep defenders honest, Rodriguez also brings some much needed defense at the net.   The Eagles have a really nice resume coming into the weekend. They have wins over D1 HM South Lyon East (2x), D3 No. 5 Valley Lutheran (3x) and a recent win over D1 No. 6 Bedford.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Haven</h2>   Record: 21-12   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka']   This is a young but very scary squad to come across. With one of the top rookies in the state mixed in with one of the top senior defenders, when Grand Haven gets ahold of the game, it's deadly!   Of the rookie in question, OH [player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] has been on a terror in her debut with the Buccaneers. With career matches against some of the top programs in the state such as Marian, Lakewood, to name a few - Woiteshek is already well prepared to go toe-to-toe with the top of the crop. L [player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka'] has been holding a steady back line in her swan song. Smaka is coming into the weekend with 10 double-digit dig performances.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/789-Grace-Goodyke-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-437881" style="width:237px;height:218px" width="237" height="218" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</figcaption></figure>   The Buccaneers have some key wins over the likes of Dewitt, Lowell and Lake Orion. They also went the distance with the reigning 3x state champions Marian in five sets.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Rapids Christian</h2>   Record: 25-5   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'], [player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110324' first='Grace' last='Spoelma']   From one program reaping the benefits from a freshman phenom to the next. Let it be known Grand Rapids Christian is BACK in business! The Eagles of GRC is soaring back to the forefront of Michigan volleyball behind the arm of the frosh, OH [player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']. With close to 3 kills per set, Goodyke has been the hot hand for GRC all season long. The reemergence of GRC doesn't just come with the improved offense, but improved defense as well. L [player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'] is close to 5 digs per set on the season while holding down the back court. S/OPP [player_tooltip player_id='110324' first='Grace' last='Spoelma'] is another one putting up incredible numbers as well. Spoelma not only racks up the assist, but she racks up the kills in the Eagles 6-2 offense. Spoelma was an impact player in this program when it saw themselves place second at Beast of the East two years ago, could Spoelma lead them back to the 'ship once more?   With resurgence of the Eagles, comes the resurgence of some big time wins. Grand Rapids Christian comes into the weekend ranked No. 2 in the Division II rankings. They hold a nice resume with names like Byron Center (x2), Lakewood (x2) and Rockford in the wins column.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grandville</h2>   Record: 10-11-5   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood'] and Arianna Rodriguez   While the record may show a losing effort on the behalf of Grandville. I wouldn't necessarily count them out of this weekend's fun quite yet. With one of the top rated recruits in the 2024 class, [player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood'] (Virginia) is going to be looking to go out with a bang at Beast of the East.    Dood comes in leading the Bulldogs in assists, kills, blocks, aces and comes up second on the team in digs. This player simply does it all. She does get some nice assistance from L Arianna Rodriguez in the back court. Rodriguez leads Grandville with nearly 4 digs per set.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/Screen-Shot-2023-05-15-at-2.34.39-PM.png?w=791" alt="" class="wp-image-393478" style="width:183px;height:237px" width="183" height="237" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford']</figcaption></figure>   The most significant win on the season thus far for Grandville comes the way of a sweep over Portage Northern earlier in September. The Bulldogs have had a really tough schedule thus far and with some variation this weekend, I could see them snagging a marquee win or two.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gull Lake</h2>   Record: 18-8   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford'], Bree Eklund and [player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange']   This is a program coming off of a historic 2022 season and looking to be continuing on that wave of success. With one of the top setters in the state this season, [player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford'] (Miami (OH)) has been electric all season long. While putting up over 6.5 assists per set, Crawford has also been scoring at nearly 3 points a set between her attacking and blocking prowess.   Joined alongside her MB Bree Eklund has been lighting it up at the net with 2.5 kills and .9 blocks per set. Eklund has continued her steady production at the net from a breakout season a year ago. In the back court, [player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'] continues to be the scrappy libero that'll never give up. She's bringing in nearly 5 digs per set while receiving a high volume of balls in reception as well.   Gull Lake has amassed themselves quite the nice record coming into the weekend. They have wins over Coopersville and HM Portage Northern.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jenison</h2>   Record: 26-7-3   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly']   I am not sure if we will find a team in the field that is THIS stacked with power on the pins. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] has been absolutely treacherous to come across. No matter what, you can always rely on these three to put the ball away.   These three are carrying the bulk of the offensive weight with over 75% of the team's kills. So [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'] has been a real lightning rod for this team with 325 kills and 305 digs on the season to lead all Wildcats. Johnson is a very reliant passer as well, receiving the brunt of the reception attempts for Jenison. Don't let these players get hot!   Largely due to these power pins, Jenison has been knocking down names, taking numbers, and climbing up the rankings. Jenison just recently climbed to No. 7 in the latest MIVCA polls after sweeping Portage Northern, Grandville AND Grand Rapids Christian. They pushed Hudsonville to three sets in the finals of their home tournament, which garnered a lot of respect around the state. Could Jenison do even more damage at Beast of the East?