Beast of the East 2025 Pool Breakdown, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the great prep volleyball tournaments each season takes place this week as the 2025 Beast of the East gets underway in Livonia, featuring 32 strong programs from all around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's format will change slightly due to MHSAA limits on how many sets a player can compete in in a day. Now, pool play features the 1 vs. 4 seed and 2 vs. 3 seed playing. Winners will then meet to determine Gold Bracket seeding. The two losing teams will play to determine which moves on to the Silver Bracket, and which moves to the Bronze Bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gold Bracket will remain a 16-team, single-elimination tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at Pools A-D at this year's event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool A</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening pool features <strong>Rockford </strong>as the 1 seed, <strong>Frankenmuth </strong>as the 2, <strong>Harper Creek </strong>as the 3, and <strong>Hartland </strong>as the 4. The Rams are ranked No. 1 in Division 1 currently. They have two of the top outsides in the state on the same roster in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']</strong>. Those two will be a handful for anyone they face, and are supported by talented senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher']</strong>. Some other strong hitters in this pool include Frankenmuth's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523867' first='Miranda' last='Polley']</strong>, as well as Harper Creek's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839825' first='Camille' last='Robinson']</strong>. Other players to watch will be Harper Creek freshman setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777145' first='Andersyn' last='King']</strong> and Frankenmuth freshman combo player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850401' first='Avery' last='Geer']</strong>. Each has made a nice impact in their first years of high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool B</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this pool, <strong>Mercy </strong>gets the top seed, while <strong>Roscommon </strong>is No. 2, <strong>Romeo </strong>is No. 3 and <strong>Forest Hills Central </strong>is No. 4. The Marlins have a full arsenal of talent, ranked third in D1. They can hit you with so many options at the net including outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier']</strong>, or towering middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews']</strong>. Roscommon is ranked No. 1 in Division 3 and this will be a big test for the Bucks to see how they stack up with the bigger fish. They bring a lot of firepower at the net as well in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586761' first='Alexis' last='Carper'], [player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper'], [player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'], </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808192' first='Reese' last='Williams']. </strong>Romeo is a team capable of pulling off an upset, as the Bulldogs are battle-tested. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'] </strong>can hold their own with anyone and will not make things easy on whomever they play. When it comes to freshmen to watch in this pool, Mercy has a pair in libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885455' first='Kate' last='Berghoff'] </strong>and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool C</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another CHSL team has the top seed here in <strong>Marian</strong>. <strong>East Grand Rapids </strong>is the No. 2 seed, while <strong>Bedford </strong>is No. 3, and <strong>Flushing </strong>is No. 4. The Mustangs are fourth in the latest D1 rankings. They have a lot of balanced around the court thanks to the play of setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison'] </strong>and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon']</strong>. When it comes to hitting, sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson'] </strong>is having a breakout season for Marian while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828552' first='Cecilia' last='Murray'] </strong>are putting up big kill numbers as well. EGR can be a threat due to their elite defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800489' first='Mackenzee' last='Stanley-Eldred'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800551' first='Rylee' last='Stanley-Eldred'] </strong>get to so many difficult shots, keeping their team in a point. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845506' first='Finley' last='Grashuis'] </strong>is leading the offense while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226901' first='Madelyn' last='Hungerford'] </strong>is a potent finisher. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664290' first='Heidi' last='White'] </strong>is also a promising sophomore setter for EGR. The Kicking Mules still have some talent you have to focus on as well in hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'] </strong>and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454376' first='Blair' last='Russow']</strong>. Despite being a fourth seed, Flushing has talented hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765783' first='Ava' last='Finney'] </strong>that is a potent sophomore who can change a game. Junior middle <strong>Peyton Mills </strong>is also a real force at the net. One freshman to watch in this pool is Bedford setter <strong>Cady Fischer</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool D</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top seed here is <strong>Forest Hills Northern</strong>. Defending champ <strong>Northville </strong>comes in at No. 2, while <strong>Mattawan </strong>is third, and <strong>Grand Blanc </strong>is fourth. The Huskies are ranked No. 8 in Division 1 right now and have one of the top setters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur']</strong>. She spreads the ball out well, as FHN can beat you with a number of arms. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586437' first='Madalin' last='Hersman']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm']</strong> can all get hot at different times and make the Huskies tough to slow down. Northville is always game for a tough match and the Mustangs still have one of the top defenders in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame']</strong>. She will keep them in any match. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'] </strong>has stepped up her play as a lead hitter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523832' first='Charley' last='Romeo'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261202' first='Peyton' last='Lowes'] </strong>have been consistent finishers as well for Northville. Mattawan has a balanced offense that can be problematic. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='371873' first='Brooke' last='Steeves'] </strong>is a top-level setter that is connecting well with the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490371' first='Brooklynn' last='Brassard'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826938' first='Larkin' last='Baima']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806499' first='Macey' last='Brown'] </strong>is also relentless defensively to keep her team competitive. Grand Blanc has a steady finisher at the net in <strong>Kendall Wilson</strong>, while defenders <strong>Audrey Cramer </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489585' first='Carli' last='Banaszak'] </strong>are racking up solid dig totals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->