Four Takeaways From Beast Of The East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the annual Beast of the East Tournament in the books, there are some important takeaways from the action we saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we inch closer to the postseason, this past weekend painted a picture of what we can expect to see in the next month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northville, Rockford showed best balance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":704736,"width":"267px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/BOE-2024-28.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-704736" style="width:267px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In order for Northville and Rockford to reach the final, it took a total team effort. Both these teams utilized a variety of players to carry them through a tough set on Saturday. Northville didn't have a hitter as part of the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/10/2024-beast-of-the-east-all-tournament-team/">All-Tournament Team</a>, while Rockford didn't have a single player on the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] </strong>both worked the ball around well for their respective teams. Each got some real powerful swings out of their pins and middles. Both defenses also shined, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] </strong>and <strong>Eleanor Goad</strong> were coming through with tough digs over and over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gap between D3 and D1 isn't much</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beast of the East featured four D3 teams that are ranked in the top-6 and each held their own against the best of the best. It shows that the gap between the best in D1 and D3 isn't as large as it used to be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-ranked SMCC reached the semifinals and went to a third set with Rockford. The Kestrels looked like a team that can compete with anyone. After some disappointing ends to their postseason in recent years, SMCC looks every bit the title favorite right now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] </strong>has raised her game, especially her intensity at the net. She was putting down some of the hardest kills of the event. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] </strong>is continuing to contribute in every way possible, which speaks to her all-around talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cass City, Plymouth Christian and TC St. Francis also had some solid wins on the weekend. Cass City took sets from both FH Northern and Marian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kapeller establishes herself</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":704824,"width":"316px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/BOE-2024-15.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-704824" style="width:316px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a strong season for Orchard Lake St. Mary's sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller']</strong>, but this weekend was a breakout opportunity for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would have been easy for her to get lost in the shuffle, but instead the 6'1” Kapeller earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Kapeller showed she has the shot variety to play with the best. Her power swings were finding a home and her defensive play was keeping the Eaglets in the mix during tight sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Defenders play key role</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The All-Tournament Team featured a pair of liberos in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] </strong>of Hudsonville and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237538' first='Annalise' last='Clark'] </strong>of Lowell. Both came in among the state leaders in digs and their knack for getting to the ball showed in this tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up against elite hitters in every match, Armstrong and Clark still played at an elite level. They made power shots look like routine plays and were relentless in their pursuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In an even full of elite defenders, these two really stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->