Beast of the East 2024 Power Hitters

<!-- 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 has a number of elite hitters that will be on display.</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='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'], Sr. OH Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Busignani has been leading the Marian attack for years and the Cincinnati commit is trying to push the Mustangs back to the top of D1 in 2024. A Miss Volleyball finalist, Busignani brings a lot of intensity and high-level attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'], Sr. OH SMCC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Costlow has developed every aspect of her game over the years. She's very well-balanced and can impact the game on offense, defense, or the service line. The Miss Volleyball finalist is committed to Toledo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'], Jr. OH North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deshetsky is one of the state's kill leaders as she has stepped up as the lone returning starter for the Broncos. Not only is she taking on a big offensive load, but she's still hitting over .300.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'], Jr. OH Frankenmuth</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Geer is getting her chance to take on a lead offensive role this fall and she's jumped on the opportunity. Geer brings a lot of energy to the floor and will be eager to show she's one of the best outsides in the state this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'], Jr. MH OLSM</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibbs is part of a powerful 1-2 punch in the middle for St. Mary's that also includes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239993' first='Kadie' last='Tarasiewicz']</strong>. The 6-foot Gibbs can get on a hot streak quickly and becomes very tough to stop once she gets going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray'], Sr. MH Bedford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is one of the top middles in the country, outside of just Michigan. The 6'2” Miss Volleyball finalist and Indiana commit is hitting nearly .350 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156302' first='Finley' last='Helm'], Sr. OH Mt. Pleasant</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Helm is one of the top players in Northern Michigan. She's well-balanced and can alter the game with her offense or defense. Helm has the chance to make a big name for herself on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'], Jr. OH Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of a dynamic 1-2 punch for Rockford, Hosford is hitting .327 on the season and can really bring the thunder. She's not afraid to bring the heat to opposing blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'], Sr. MH Cass City</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most dynamic middles in the state, this Texas Tech commit and Miss Volleyball finalist can finish from anywhere and has the footwork and power to baffle any defense. Ignash is one of the kills leaders in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'], Sr. OH Saline</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Syracuse commit has a lot of hang time and she's extremely athletic. That leads to a lot of big power swings and some impressive defensive play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'], Sr. OH Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newblatt finally got a chance to showcase her talents last fall after dealing with injuries in her prep career. This fall, she's the lead option for Clarkston and coming through with a lot of big kills. Newblatt's power swings rank right up there with anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231189' first='Josie' last='Noble'], Sr. MH Caledonia</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noble is a name that deserves a little more respect amongst the best in the state. She's hitting .370 this season and putting up big kill numbers. Not many middles produce as much offense this Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'], Jr. OH/MH Plymouth Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of explosiveness off the floor and the ability to come down hard over the ball, Pilat is one of the stronger hitters in the state for Division 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'], So. OH Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wandel is the other half of the powerful pins at Rockford. She's showing she's one of the top hitters in the Class of 2027, as she's consistently piling up the kills against top competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='191749' first='Abigail' last='Wutka'], Sr. OH Dakota</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wutka approaches the net with as much power and intensity as anyone. She can really pound the ball and that has led to some big kill totals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156340' first='Addison' last='Williams'], Sr. MH South Lyon East</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East has tons of talented hitters, but Williams is putting the ball down at the highest rate. She's hitting well over. 300 and is a big blocking force as well. She's committed to Fresno State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw'], Jr. OH TC St. Francis</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of D3's top young hitters, Yenshaw will get the chance to compete against the best of the best this weekend. It could be a big breakout party for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'], Jr. OH/MH FH Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zimmerman is a 6-foot powerhouse that can put the ball down with a lot of power and speed. She plays well above the net and can shift momentum of a match with one of her kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->