Beast of the East Preview: Pool E-H

<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 E-F at Beast of the East at Schoolcraft College!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL E</h2>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>South Lyon East - Plymouth Christian - Dakota - Lakeland</em></h5>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC02529.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-696338" style="width:305px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Kicking off the second half of the Beast of the East field, we have Pool E. With South Lyon East coming into their own as of late, they find themselves as the tournament's overall 5th seed. A recent win over #7 Clarkston last week sees SLE with all the momentum entering the weekend. The Cougars have themselves a trio of some of the most lethal attackers in Michigan. [player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski'] (Georgia Southern), [player_tooltip player_id='156340' first='Addison' last='Williams'] (Fresno State) and [player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] (Washington State) are all having amazing senior seasons collectively. Babinski as a six rotation threat on the pins alongside Williams/Johnson in the middle offer up a constant threat of high level point scoring.</p>   <p>Adding into the mix, Plymouth Christian is another one of those few small school teams to take on the gauntlet. Plymouth Christian has remained the No. 2 ranked squad in Division 3 all season long and have cooked up some marquee wins. They're coming off of a stellar performance at the D3/4 Showdown at MiElite a few weeks ago. While a nice run to the finals, they found themselves upended by the UP Powerhouse in Calumet. Led by OH [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] and MB [player_tooltip player_id='523905' first='Madisyn' last='Bowman'], this squad will be looking for a redeeming weekend against a slew of big teams.</p>   <p>Rounding out the roster of Pool E, we see a pair of Division 1 dark horses in Macomb Dakota and Lakeland. Dakota has been having an up-and-down season, but not without having a roster that can do some damage. They look to MB [player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'] (Wayne State) to put in work at the net. As for Lakeland, the sister duo of S [player_tooltip player_id='288962' first='Kate' last='Nelson'] and OH [player_tooltip player_id='446706' first='Payton' last='Nelson'] have been holding down the fort for the Eagles.</p>   <p><strong>Predictions:</strong> With the way that SLE has been playing, this pool is theirs to lose. PCA will look to play challenger, however, the offensive production out of the Cougars' side of the net seem pretty hard to surpass.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL F</h2>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Utica Eisenhower - St. Mary Catholic Central - Coopersville - Grand Blanc</em></h5>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01827-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589849" style="width:313px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Biermann']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Pool F will be another strong pool to keep close tabs on. Utica Eisenhower enters as one of the top 8 seeds, their first in a few years. They're reeling on a strong season that include wins over Marian and Bedford. They're riding high on the play of a trio of sophomores. Stepping up big time, S [player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Biermann'], and MB [player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'] have been doing serious work. Tripi has been running the offense to one of the most productive in the state with over 9 assists per set and a team hit percentage of .268. Biermann and Berishaj have been extremely efficient combining for 6 kills on a .300 clip.</p>   <p>St. Mary Catholic Central enters another Beast of the East as the state leader in Division III volleyball. With not one, but TWO Miss Volleyball candidates in OH [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] (Toledo) and UT [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] (Utah), this team is in good hands. Alongside Costlow, the Kestrels have a pair of junior attackers in OH [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] and OH/MB [player_tooltip player_id='226877' first='Olivia' last='Beaudrie']. The foursome bring a lot of ball control and a balanced attack to the field of teams. This is a squad that could make a deep run into the gold bracket and upset the top seed in Pool F.</p>   <p>Coopersville and Grand Blanc are a pair of teams to round out this pool. The two are always capable of an upset or two. Grand Blanc is headed by a pair of dynamic middles in Kendall WIlliams (Bowling Green) and [player_tooltip player_id='443909' first='Alina' last='Ike'] (Wayne State).</p>   <p><strong>Predictions:</strong> This pool looks to be one of the easier ones to predict with both Ike and SMCC looking to make their way through. However, the question of who takes that sixth seed entering the gold bracket will have to come down to the head to head. SMCC has the pieces to give it to this red hot Eisenhower squad with their ball control and scrappy style of play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL G</h2>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Bedford - Hudsonville - Frankenmuth - Mt. Pleasant</em></h5>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC01796.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589909" style="width:327px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='586782' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz']</figcaption></figure>   <p>As we're getting down to the wire here in the last few pools, Pool G has the potential to be a bloodbath. Bedford is the imminent top seed of the pool. They return their Miss Volleyball candidate in [player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray'] (Indiana) after relieving Gray from play duties due to injury. Since her return, she has been lighting up the court with a most recent 23 kill performance in a sweep over Ann Arbor Skyline. S [player_tooltip player_id='261174' first='Kaylin' last='Schroeder'] (Eastern Michigan), OH [player_tooltip player_id='185683' first='Alivia' last='Brown'] (Bowling Green) and MB [player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'] have all been having standout seasons. Bedford not only looks to be a favorite to win this pool, but they are a favorite to win the entire tournament.</p>   <p>Now, this is where things begin to get interesting. Hudsonville comes in as this pools second seed. If there's one thing to know about the Eagles, it is that they have an incredibly sound defense and the offense to take down some significant names. L [player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] (Grand Valley State) has been a revelation for Hudsonville, emerging as a state leading libero. Alongside her at the net is [player_tooltip player_id='586782' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226939' first='Maggie' last='Szlachcic'] who're both coming into their own extremely well. This team has the makings of upsetting a team like Bedford or further down in the tournament's gold bracket.</p>   <p>Rounding out this pool, Frankenmuth and Mount Pleasant are a pair of teams that should not be taken lightly despite their lower seeds. Both have themselves a scrappy six rotation outside attacker in [player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156302' first='Finley' last='Helm'] (Saginaw Valley State). These two are capable of not only scoring at a high level but playing top tier defense. Either one of these teams could give it to their top half of the pool. </p>   <p><strong>Predictions:</strong> If Bedford is playing their game, things will be smooth sailing for the Kicking Mules. However, the same can be said for the Eagles of Hudsonville. This pool's final match will have to be one that has a lot of eyes on it as it will have huge implications for bracket play. Barring any upsets from Frankenmuth and Mount Pleasant, these two teams will be making the gold. For who will take that No. 7 seed into bracket play, keep an eye on that Bedford/Hudsonville match up.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">POOL H</h2>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Mattawan - Clarkston - Caledonia - Lapeer</em></h5>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/Addison-Newblatt.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-497872" style="width:323px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt']</figcaption></figure>   <p>This is another hefty one here in Pool H. Mattawan, Clarkston and Caledonia, this could be anyone's pool to take. Mattawan is one of those teams that has picked up serious heat coming into this tournament. With recent win over Forest Hills Northern, the Wildcats knows what it takes to take on a big opponent. This team relies upon a very balanced offense that likes to go to Brooklynn Bassard and <strong>Macey Brown</strong> heavily. L [player_tooltip player_id='236712' first='Chelsea' last='Pearce'] is also averaging over 3.5 digs per set.</p>   <p>Clarkston comes into this tournament as the ninth overall seed. Some would expect this group to be a tad higher given the earlier goes of the season. However, a few recent losses have the Wolves looking to come into this one and turn some heads. Featuring one of the best emerging talents in S [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] and OH/L [player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'], these two carry significant loads for this team. </p>   <p>Caledonia is one of those west side teams that could be a real dark horse. Not only in this tournament, but in the post-season tournament just around the corner. Caledonia boasts two of the biggest attackers from the west in [player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'] (South Alabama) and [player_tooltip player_id='231189' first='Josie' last='Noble'] (Milwaukee). These two currently combine for over 8 kills per set on a .278 hit percentage. Gaier leads the group in digs with 4 per set and Noble leads in blocking with over 1.2 per set.</p>   <p>Lapeer rounds out the final pool of Beast of the East as another underdog squad. Led by S [player_tooltip player_id='490026' first='Allison' last='Rutledge'], this is a player that can put her hands in a couple different of cookie jars with her overall play.</p>   <p><strong>Predictions:</strong> While Mattawan and Clarkston look to be the favorites due to seeding, the Caledonia Scots are going to be a game they both cannot take lightly. All three teams have the makings of beating each other up before entering the bracket phase of the day. There's truly no favorite in this one, however, I would be surprised to not see Caledonia find one of the two spots up for grabs to get to gold.</p>