2024 Beast of the East Defensive Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Beast of the East Tournament is coming up Saturday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This event always features many of the top players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's tournament includes elite defenders that can take over a match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Michigan Top 250 Expo is going to be taking place on Sunday, Dec. 1 in Pontiac. You can </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1300/register/michigan-top-250-expo"><em>sign up now</em></a><em> to be a part of the event. Get $10 off your registration by using promo code “EllisExpo2024”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'], Sr. Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Armstrong has been an absolute dig machine. She's at nearly 500 on the season and averaging about 6.5 per set. Hudsonville has had a lot of great defenders in recent years, but Armstrong is showing she can carry that title as well. Her instincts are elite and she's a very determined player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237538' first='Annalise' last='Clark'], Jr. Lowell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark is one of the state's dig leaders, well over 300 on the season already. She's got a nose for the ball and stays light on her feet to cover a lot of space. Clark is also always up against top hitters, so there is no team that should intimidate her this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288961' first='Mallory' last='McFarlane'], Sr. Saline</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McFarlane is a player who is going to give her all on each point. She chases down a lot of tough balls and still is able to make an accurate feed. McFarlane stays very locked in and her first contact is among the best you will see this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226910' first='Kayla' last='Ostrander'], Jr. Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ostrander has had a breakout season thus far, as she's one of the top dig leaders in the state. Her play is allowing the Eisenhower offense to run efficiently. Ostrander is determined to get to every ball and she's done that quite well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'], Sr. SMCC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payne can play anywhere on the floor and has been a utility player for SMCC over her career. However, she still excels most as a defender. Payne has great initial instincts and that allows her to get to her spots quickly and squared up to the ball. This Miss Volleyball finalist is committed to Utah.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236712' first='Chelsea' last='Pearce'], Sr. Mattawan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mattawan has been turning some heads this season and Pearce has been a catalyst to some big wins. She's an energy player that is able to boost her teammates through her play. She stays aggressive on defense and isn't afraid to throw her body around to make a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454376' first='Blair' last='Russow'], So. Bedford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russow is a young, but talented player. She's part of a top team in Bedford, one that has a lot of offensive firepower. Her consistent play this season is allowing the Mules to be able to utilize its offensive weapons. Russow is handling that pressure well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'], So. South Lyon East</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stepp is one of the promising young defenders in the state. She's got a lot of big-match experience through her time with East and during club season, so no hitters will rattle her. She stays very calm and composed during pressure situations and often comes through with a match-shifting dig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732246' first='Ella' last='Swoish'], Sr. North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Branch coach Jim Fish said he still had a strong defender to lead the Broncos in 2024 and he wasn't wrong. Swoish has been patient awaiting her spot in the starting lineup and she's excelling this year. She's already over 300 digs and keeping North Branch in the mix as a top D2 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->