Beast of the East Preview: Pool A-D

<h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></h5>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">The 2024 Expo Season is here</a>! Sign up for this year's Top 250 Expo using the code <strong>LSHOTExpo2024</strong> for $$ off!</em></h5>   <p>–</p>   <p>It is the biggest tournament in the state of Michigan. Yes, it is Beast of the East weekend! </p>   <p>Bringing in some of the best of the best that the Mitten state has to offer, Michigan Elite plays host to yet another year of incredible volleyball. In years past, this tournament has laid the groundwork and foreshadowed what was to come in the nearby post-season. </p>   <p>The last three Beast of the East titles went to Marian ('21, '23) and Northville ('22). With both of these two teams returning, they're in the mix as two of the favorites to win it all once again this weekend. However, they'll have to take on some strong competition from a slew of West Side teams! On the hunt to make history, no west side team has been able to conquer the Beast of the East.</p>   <p>32 teams, 8 pools, 6 Miss Volleyball nominees and an endless amount of great volleyball. Buckle up for this one, because it is going to be a good one! Here's a preview of Pool A-D at Beast of the East at Schoolcraft College!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL A</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC02133.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-666337" style="width:312px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'], [player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck']</figcaption></figure>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Northville - Lowell - Traverse City St. Francis - Allen Park</em></h5>   <p>In Pool A, we have the top seed of the tournament in Northville. Northville without a doubt comes into this year's Beast of the East with a lot of momentum and something to prove. In the last two seasons, we saw Northville win in 2022 and bow out in the semifinals in 2023. They're led by Miss Volleyball nominee in [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] (Illinois State) and fellow power house hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] (Marist) and [player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] (Oakland). This group has been experimenting with a slew of different line ups and rotations. Craggs' ability to run the court allows the Mustangs to keep an open net with the variety of plays she runs with her hitters. The Reck twins, alongside junior [player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'], have been seen in just about every area of the court. Whether it is on the pins, in the middle or throughout the back court, the three are constant scoring threats.</p>   <p>For the rest of the field, Lowell and TC St. Francis have been making significant waves throughout the season. The Red Arrows boast quite the gritty defense that can typically keep them in play with the top teams in the state. Led by S [player_tooltip player_id='481379' first='Rylie' last='Barriger'] and L Annelise Clark, the two create a great one-two punch for the Arrows. </p>   <p>For St. Francis, this is one of four Division 3 teams to grace the Beast of the East stage. A 2023 D3 Finalist, the Gladiators are looking to take on an extra challenge in hopes to prep themselves for another run to Kellogg Arena. This crew is led by the duo of OH [player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw'] and L [player_tooltip player_id='223048' first='Avery' last='Nance'] (Belmont Abbey). The two are relied upon heavily in the team's ball control with Yenshaw getting a huge load of offensive responsibility as well.</p>   <p>Allen Park will also join the party as an underdog, late add on to the tournament. S Katelyn Stetz will take center stage for the Jaguars running the offense.</p>   <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Northville will have very little resistance in route to the gold rounds. The race for that second spot may be a tough one. Lowell and TC St. Francis are both very evenly matched up. That second slot to the gold bracket will have to come down to whoever can out score each other.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL B</h2>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Rockford - North Branch - Flushing - Troy</em></h5>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC02099.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-666338" style="width:332px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Onto the second seed pool, no doubt do we see Rockford in this spot. The Rams have been taking on some really significant opponents and going down to the wire. They've climbed up the ranks week after week by their eye popping play. Leading the herd, Rockford is headed up by a two-headed beast on the left pin with [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] (Oakland) and [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']. The two have been lighting up the stage and is one of the most lethal attacking duos in all of Michigan. L Eleanor Goad also provide some insane defensive boosts in the back court as well.</p>   <p>This may be a tough one for a second seed in your pool. North Branch has a much different look to them than seasons past but the Broncos however are still finding ways to be one of the best in Division II. With six losses on the season, all of the said losses come at the hand of ranked Division I opponents. The Broncos are lead by one of the top players in Michigan in [player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] (Wofford). Deshetsky is blasting away an insane 6 kills to go with nearly 3 digs per set on the season. L [player_tooltip player_id='732246' first='Ella' last='Swoish'] has also stepped up incredibly well in the back court amassing over 300 digs so far on the season.</p>   <p>Rounding out this pool is a pair of teams who can compete amongst the best but will have to bring their A game in pool play to make it out alive. Flushing is led by S/OPP [player_tooltip player_id='288965' first='Lili' last='Smith'] (IPFW) who is one of those "do-it-all" type players. Meanwhile, Troy is led by S [player_tooltip player_id='224603' first='Anna' last='Rich'] (Canisius) who, very similarly to Smith, can become quite the efficient overall piece on the court.</p>   <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>This is going to be Rockford's to lose. However, if Rockford were to drop a match, its going to be at the hands of North Branch. They missed a head-to-head showdown at the East Vs. West Challenge. The two are capable of incredibly disciplined ball control, the question will come down to which offense can produce more than the other. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL C</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC01868.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-666388" style="width:331px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest Hills Northern</figcaption></figure>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Forest Hills Northern - Saline - Orchard Lakes St. Mary - Anchor Bay</em></h5>   <p>Pool C looks to be cooking up some fun match-ups to kick off Beast of the East. Forest Hills Northern is coming in as the 3rd overall seed of the tournament and the No. 1 for this pool. They're led by an incredibly well-balanced offense ran by S [player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur']. With key pieces in just about every position including [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] on the left side and [player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] in the middle, when the Huskies are firing on all cylinders, they're hard to defend. FHN is coming into this tournament with huge wins over the likes of Marian and Lowell.</p>   <p>Aiming to sting the competition, the Saline Hornets are perpetual invitee to this marquee tournament. Last year saw them edge their way to the gold bracket and they'll be looking to return. This group is headed up by one of the top outside hitters in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] (Syracuse). She's taken on an extensive role in both Saline's offense and ball control efforts. Alongside her, L [player_tooltip player_id='288961' first='Mallory' last='McFarlane'] and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='191143' first='Sidney' last='White'] have stepped up immensely in the absence of last year's seniors. Beast of the East has been a place where the Hornets find their footing entering the post-season. After a tough loss to Dexter in SEC Play, Saline should be coming in with a lot of drive to prove themselves.</p>   <p>In the second half of pool C, Orchard Lakes St. Mary and Anchor Bay complete the field. OLSM is coming off of a championship run in the Catholic League. [player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] leads this crew in all facets of the game. BOE will prove to be the perfect place to wager where OLSM stands entering their first post-season in Division 1. Rounding out Pool C, Anchor Bay is always good for a good scrap fest or two. [player_tooltip player_id='196836' first='Amelia' last='Klos'] (Wayne State) will be the attacker to keep an eye out for.</p>   <p><strong>Predictions:</strong> When Forest Hills Northern is firing away, they'll be hard to contain, let alone beat. However, the same can be said for Saline. These two are shaping up for an epic showdown at the end of pool play. I'll be shocked if either one of these teams are the top two with FHN having the edge in winning this pool. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL D</h2>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Marian - Cass City - Romeo - Marshall</em></h5>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01600_f9be0e-crop-4980x3270-1722985293.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-587561" style="width:331px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Onto Pool D, we have ourselves some interesting match-ups. With Division I powerhouse Marian as the tournament's overall fourth seed alongside Cass City and Romeo, we could see some fun showdowns. </p>   <p>Marian is coming off of a Catholic League Runner-Up finish this week and will look to make some statements here at Schoolcraft College. Miss Volleyball Finalist [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] (Cincinnati) is this team's magnum opus. Whether she is passing or attacking, the more she touches the ball. the better the Mustangs are. Meanwhile, Marian has seen the emergence in play from the likes of L [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']. Pelon has shown some incredible fortitude in her rookie season as the starting libero. Smith has stepped up huge! Her front row play, as well as her back court time has jumped major levels.</p>   <p>Cass City is one of four Division 3 squads making their debut at this illusive tournament. They find themselves as the No. 2 seed of the pool. With their own Miss Volleyball Nominee in [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] (Texas Tech), this team rides and dies by the amount of production they can get from this six rotation middle. I will be curious to see how the Hawks adjust to the heightened serve and pass game that comes with this kind of tournament. Alongside Ignash, [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] (Alma) is another impact player that will have step it up a notch or two against some strong blockers. The two are coming off of record breaking milestones, surpassing 1400 kills each. </p>   <p>Romeo comes into Pool D cooking up a lot of momentum. They're taking big wins in the Motor City Power League and is a current league leader in the MAC. They have a flurry of promising attackers including OPP [player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='490033' first='Christina' last='Rosenow'] and OH [player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow']. The three have curated a three headed beast that can go toe-to-toe with some stout competition.</p>   <p><strong>Predictions:</strong> Comparing the pieces, this is Marian's pool to lose. However, Cass City and Romeo both are playing some great ball right now. They play a bit scrappier defense than the Mustangs, too, which can cause some frustration. If they can hang in on the long rallies and tire each other out, we could see an upset or two in Pool D.</p>   <p></p>