Who's Coming to Beast of the East? (Pt. 5)

<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">Orchard Lake St. Mary's</h2>   Record: 20-4-1   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='239993' first='Kadie' last='Tarasiewicz']   This program has quickly come on the table as one of the top teams in Division II. While they're still VERY young, this team has a great balance of offense and defensive talent that can propel a long way.   Coming into the day, you have to keep an eye out for two players - OH [player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin'] and MB [player_tooltip player_id='239993' first='Kadie' last='Tarasiewicz']. Martin, traditionally a libero, is that complete six rotation outside for Eaglets. With a heavy dose of scoring mixed in with her bread and butter in the back row, she's asked to do a lot for a sophomore. For Tarasiewicz, she acts as the go-to arm for OLSM. She leads this squad in overall scoring as their leading attacker and second leading blocker. She's coming into Beast of the East hitting around a .300 hitting clip. An opportunity for Tarasiewicz is converted into a kill more times than not.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/OLSM-vs-Shrine-VB-47.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-461466" style="aspect-ratio:1.4691535150645625;width:287px;height:auto" /></figure>   OLSM come in ranked the 15th overall seed of the tournament. They'll have to play at their best to challenge the No. 2 overall seed North Branch and then take out a really tough Gull Lake team to claw their way into the gold bracket. OLSM currently sits as the No. 6 ranked team in Division II.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plymouth Christian</h2>   Record: 22-8-1   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'], [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] and [player_tooltip player_id='176603' first='Kate' last='Creighton']   A late add on to last year's Beast of the East, Plymouth Christian comes into this weekend's tournament looking to prove a thing or two. The Eagles of PCA are coming off of a great showing at the D3/4 Showdown at Schoolcraft College and will look to prove to the powers in Division 1/2 that they deserve a seat at the table.   One of the biggest arms in the 2024 class belongs to [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] (Cedarville). Pilat has been instrumental to the success of PCA since her inception to the court. She's relied upon heavily to put the ball away, something that comes very easily. Pilat is assisted offensively by younger sister, [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] in the middle. Yet, another player playing somewhat out of position, young Pilat gets the job done in the middle really well. She's quick on the ball in front of the setter but can be utilized on the slide to spread the offense. Making this all possible starts with the scrappy play of L [player_tooltip player_id='176603' first='Kate' last='Creighton']. Creighton is somewhat of a spark plug for PCA. Her relentless play screams volume, but she is also looked upon as the emotional leader as well.   Plymouth Christian currently sits atop the Division III MIVCA Rankings at No. 4. They'll be put on high alert early on with No. 1 seed and Division I Ranked Northville atop their pool this weekend.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockford</h2>   Record: 21-10   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']   They may be one of the youngest teams in the field, but let it be known, they may be the most dangerous to see. Rockford has been teetering in and out of the top ten of the MIVCA rankings all season long with an incredibly tough schedule. They're led by two underclassman that are absolutely dangerous when they get on a roll.   Of those underclassmen in question, the left side duo of So. [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] and Fr. [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] is going to be the best in the state for quite some time. As the two come in combining nearly 7 kills per set, if it is not one, it is the other. There's absolutely no break in the firepower coming from the Rams' side. Hosford is a middle converted to a pin and seeing her stock skyrocket this fall. She's putting up almost 4 kills and 3.5 digs per set as a six rotation threat. Wandel is one of MANY freshman in the field proving worthy of Rookie of the Year nods.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC09108.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411582" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:265px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio']</figcaption></figure>   The Rams are coming into the weekend with one heck of a schedule. They have wins over the likes of No. 2 Hudsonville, Frankenmuth and Saline. If seedings hold true, Rockford could find themselves in a gold bracket opening round with SMCC or Grand Haven.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saline</h2>   Record: 14-9-2   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen']   At Beast of the East last year, Saline had a tough go about things. After rocketing up the rankings, Saline found themselves with an 0-3 pool play record and Bronze finish. Regardless of this, Saline propelled onto the Division I Semi-finals later that season. Saline has had a rather interesting 2023 season thus far - could Saturday be the turn around for the Hornets?   Equipped with firepower and defensive depth galore, Saline can really push the edge of the envelope when it all clicks. Offensively, they're led by a six rotation outside in [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] (Syracuse). Laurio has been a really key cog for the Hornets both at the net and in the back court. She's the complete package. L [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] (Grand Valley) is very much the glue to this entire nest. Emotionally, mentally, and physically, she leads this team. Laurio is averaging around 3 kills and 3 digs per set, meanwhile Behen is the digs and ace leader with 208 and 26 to date.   While an unideal record, Saline has matched themselves up against 15 Ranked opponents across the top 3 divisions in Michigan. They boast wins over Grand Haven and South Lyon East. The Hornets will match up with an early season loss against Rockford in pool play - a rematch that is long awaited.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Mary's Catholic Central</h2>   Record: 11-5-1   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'], [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling']   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/jess-costlow-1.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-460915" style="aspect-ratio:1.5;width:247px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']</figcaption></figure>   Just because they're a Division III team does NOT mean St. Mary's Catholic Central can't get down with the best of the best. The Kestrels have carved themselves out a really competitive schedule chock full of heavy weights this fall. They got the athletes to make some big noise and will be on their A-game coming into the weekend.   It's not every day you see a small school like SMCC stacked with multiple powerhouse players. Offensively, the Kestrels easily have one of the best pin duos in Division III with [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling']. This is a duo that can rival the best in all of Michigan, regardless of divisions. Both Costlow and Dettling are an epic 1-2 punch. Both six rotation players with great ball control, but also always a viable threat to score. Alongside them, [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] (Utah) is quite frankly just doing the most. While, she's naturally a libero, it's hard to say if we will see her in the jersey this weekend. Payne has filled in roles from attacking six rotations, to setting full time, or splitting her time doing both. No matter what, Payne and Co. bring their best.   SMCC comes in as the top team in Division III and the 8th seeded team in the tournament. They have a notable win over Bedford and have taken the likes of Clarkston to the brink. The Kestrel's match with Grand Haven will be a real treat to catch in pool play.