2025 West vs. East Breakdown

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There is a great high school volleyball tournament taking place this weekend in Lowell, as it is gaining steam as one of the top events during the prep season.

The West vs. East Challenge is a 16-team event with all on hand capable of making a run at the title.

The event will have four pools of four, with the top two in each pool going on to the Gold Bracket of 8 teams. Remaining teams will compete for the Silver or Bronze title based on their seeding.

Here's a look at each pool and some of the top names that will be on hand in Lowell this Saturday.

The first pool features Rockford (No. 1 D1), Clarkston (HM D1), Northview, and Grand Blanc. Rockford is fresh off winning Beast of the East a few weeks ago, so this title would be yet another feather in the Rams' cap. Mallory Wandel Mallory Wandel 6'1" | OH Rockford | 2027 State MI and Liv Hosford Liv Hosford 6'0" | OH Rockford | 2026 State MI are as good as it gets for a 1-2 punch at outside hitter. They have combined for 676 kills and 437 digs. Izzie Delacher Izzie Delacher 5'9" | S Rockford | 2026 State MI is also an elite senior setter that ties the team together. Speaking of setters, they don't get much better than Marlie Smith Marlie Smith 5'10" | S Clarkston | 2027 State #26 Nation MI at Clarkston. She's a highly competitive leader that brings the best out of her hitters and can get the Wolves to play with the best in the state. Northview has its own senior leaders in outside Nevaeh Plaster Nevaeh Plaster 5'11" | OH/RS Northview | 2026 State MI , who can dial up the heat with the best of them. Grand Blanc has had some struggles this fall, but senior Audrey Cramer is playing really well in the back row.

This pool features Mercy (No. 2 D1), Eisenhower (No. 7 D1), Byron Center (HM D1), and Coopersville. The Marlins have a lot of ways to attack you. Junior Kate Kalczynski Kate Kalczynski 6'1" | OH Mercy | 2027 State #13 Nation MI is playing at an elite level on the outside, while freshman setter Kaelyn Easton Kaelyn Easton 5'11" | S Mercy | 2029 MI has the Marlins hitting over .300 as a team. Eisenhower is very balanced as well thanks to junior setter Lily Tripi Lily Tripi 6'1" | S/RS Utica Eisenhower | 2027 State MI , who has the Eagles hitting .321 as a team. Along with a number of talented finishers, IKE also has one of the best defenders in senior Kayla Ostrander Kayla Ostrander 5'8" | DS/L Utica Eisenhower | 2026 State MI . Byron Center also has an elite defender of its own in junior Mallory Johnson Mallory Johnson 5'6" | DS/L Byron Center | 2027 State #68 Nation MI , but she's also stepped up into a big offensive role this fall. Coopersville has gotten good offensive production out of junior Laci Geurink Laci Geurink MH MI . This will be a good event to see how she performs against the best in the state.

This pool features Bloomfield Hills (No. 4 D1), Lowell (No. 5 D1), Lake Orion, and Traverse City West. The Black Hawks have great fire power in the net, led by senior Kayla Nwabueze Kayla Nwabueze 6'2" | MB Bloomfield Hills | 2026 State #16 Nation MI , who is one of the top prospects in the country. She stood out as a middle but has moved to the outside this fall and been dominant in all phases. Junior setter Brynn Wilcox Brynn Wilcox 5'7" | S Bloomfield Hills | 2027 State MI is also having a breakout season running the Black Hawk offense. Lowell is making a strong push to be a contender in D1 again. Senior Annalise Clark Annalise Clark 5'4" | DS/L Lowell | 2026 State MI is one of the top liberos in the state and leading the Lowell effort, while freshman middle Ellery Bieneman Ellery Bieneman 6'0" | MB Lowell | 2029 MI is a big-time finisher, hitting .342 on the season. Lake Orion is always a tough out. The Dragons have a well-balanced leader in Isabelle Lawhorn Isabelle Lawhorn 6'0" | MB MI , who can turn her play up to another gear as matches hit the later stages. TC West has a very agile setter in sophomore Kendall Sierzputowski Kendall Sierzputowski DS MI that can mix up her offense well and keep opponents guessing. Emma Flick Emma Flick 5'3" | DS/L Traverse City West | 2026 State MI is also a tireless worker in the back row that does all she can to get to every ball.

The final pool features Marian (No. 3 D1), Jenison (HM D1), Portage Northern, and Grosse Pointe South. The Mustangs are well-balanced with great hitting, setting, and defense. Allie Davison Allie Davison 5'10" | S Bloomfield Hills Marian | 2026 State MI is a great senior leader at setter and works with a lot of talented hitters, led by sophomore Quinn Nelson Quinn Nelson 6'0" | OH/RS Marian | 2028 State MI on the outside. Fellow sophomore Ashlyn Pelon Ashlyn Pelon 5'8" | DS/L Marian | 2028 State MI has established herself as one of the best liberos in the state as well. Jenison has been led by senior Karis Chatfield Karis Chatfield 5'11" | OH Jenison | 2026 State #109 Nation MI , who does everything at a high level and is hitting .321 as an outside. Ava Bush-Nelson Ava Bush-Nelson 6'1" | MB/RS Jenison | 2027 State MI is also an impactful middle that will disrupt a lot of shots. Portage Northern has a crafty senior setter in Riley Messenger that teams will have to be prepared for. That is also certainly the case for senior outside Gabby DiVita Gabby DiVita 6'1" | OH Grosse Pt. South | 2026 State #10 Nation MI at GP South. DiVita has been one of the most prolific hitters in the state for years and is hitting .428 this fall.