Beast of the East 2025 Pool Breakdown, Part 2

<!-- 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 E-H at this year's event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool E</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Lyon East </strong>gets the top seed here, with <strong>Hudsonville </strong>at No. 2, <strong>Davison </strong>at No. 3, and <strong>TC St. Francis </strong>at No. 4. East has been on a roll, climbing to No. 6 in the latest D1 poll. The Cougars have one of the top freshman in the state in outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman']</strong>. She's been dominant in putting the ball away and is a great defensive asset alongside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp']</strong> at libero. Middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815995' first='Lily' last='Timko'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806631' first='Mallory' last='Kreider'] </strong>have been coming on as of late to take East to another level. Hudsonville is No. 10 in the latest D1 poll. The Eagles have a balanced attack behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806307' first='Leah' last='Burlison']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226939' first='Maggie' last='Szlachcic']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Megan' last='Glass']</strong>. Sophomore libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887795' first='Emmy' last='Poll'] </strong>also has been a standout this fall for Hudsonville. Speaking of defense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'] </strong>is an elite libero that is leading Davison this fall, alongside top hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839889' first='Addison' last='Dunning'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747097' first='Darby' last='Crystal']</strong>. St. Francis is no joke as a 4 seed. The Gladiators are the D3 runner-up the last two seasons and ranked No. 8 in D3 right now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw'] </strong>can hold her own with most hitters in this state and will get to showcase that this weekend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226903' first='Reese' last='Jones'] </strong>is also a veteran setter the team relies on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool F</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top seed here is <strong>Grand Rapids Christian</strong>. <strong>Brighton </strong>is the second seed, while <strong>Mt. Pleasant </strong>is the third seed, and <strong>Livonia Stevenson </strong>is the No. 4 seed. The Eagles rank No. 2 in Division 2 right now. They have a big-time finisher in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong>, who is among the best in the state. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881552' first='Mya' last='McKinnon'] </strong>is finishing at an impressive rate this fall as well while combo setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523841' first='Taylor' last='Frost'] </strong>are always a threat as well. Brighton is a threat in D1 and has a very balanced team without a clear weak spot in the rotation. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828378' first='Riley' last='Copenhaver'], [player_tooltip player_id='489939' first='Vivian' last='Jones'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman'] </strong>are experienced at finishing at the net, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226905' first='Delaney' last='Gilmore'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442972' first='Brier' last='Skelton'] </strong>are dynamic setters. The Oilers are having a big year further north, so this will be a big opportunity for them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839913' first='Morgan' last='Borodychuk'] </strong>is having a strong sophomore season on the outside after producing as a freshman. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='843538' first='Lucy' last='Molyneux'] </strong>has been a solid complement for Borodychuk at the net. Senior setter <strong>Abigail Webster </strong>and senior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795664' first='Kharman' last='Loya'] </strong>provide great leadership at their positions. Stevenson is not a team you can look past. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809921' first='Kennedy' last='Hinkle'] </strong>has been a real problem for opponents as a middle that can play anywhere. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='558871' first='Addison' last='Boven'] </strong>is also under the radar and can work a quick pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool G</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Utica Eisenhower </strong>has the top seed in this group, with <strong>SMCC </strong>coming in at No. 2, <strong>Saline </strong>at No. 3, and <strong>West Ottawa </strong>at No. 4. IKE is No. 5 in the latest D1 poll and the Eagles don't have a weakness in their lineup. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'] </strong>is one of the best at the position and has this offense clicking with potent hitters like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226894' first='Gina' last='Fedrigo'], [player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'], [player_tooltip player_id='446700' first='Liliana' last='Gegovic'], </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann']</strong>. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226910' first='Kayla' last='Ostrander'] </strong>is a dig machine. SMCC is always a top contender in D3 and is ranked No. 2 right now in the MIVCA poll. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456251' first='Alexa' last='Turner'] </strong>is a talented combo hitter/setter that is doing a lot of good things for the Kestrels. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] </strong>is also a powerful 6-foot hitter that opponents will have trouble slowing down. Saline is a team that can have a different player beat you each set. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454363' first='Akylah' last='Marshall']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261135' first='Clare' last='Beazley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454364' first='Maiya' last='Heinemann']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828379' first='Taylor' last='Dahms'] </strong>each have the potential to lead. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885464' first='Charlotte' last='Keyes'] </strong>is also a Saline hitter to watch. West Ottawa has an active senior libero in <strong>Monroe Niehuis </strong>that will help keep the team competitive this weekend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834863' first='Lilliana' last='Gitler'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821769' first='Akiah' last='Garvelink'] </strong>are a nice 1-2 option at the net for the Panthers as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool H</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending D2 state champ <strong>Detroit Country Day </strong>is the top seed in this pool. <strong>Dexter </strong>has the second seed, while <strong>Plymouth Christian </strong>is the third seed, and <strong>Oxford </strong>is the fourth seed. DCD is ranked No. 1 in D2 right now and has sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff'] </strong>leading the way as one of the top setters in the state. She's got a powerful outside to work with in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446702' first='Elise' last='Hiemstra']</strong>, along with a trio of junior finishers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450415' first='Leah' last='Green']</strong>, and <strong>Aliyah Potapenko</strong>. Dexter has been a breakout team this fall and wants to prove it can hang with the top teams in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='727732' first='Larkin' last='Pham'] </strong>has been a big-time player this fall at the net, while <strong>Tessa Bommhour</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807301' first='Selena' last='Hochendoner']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808066' first='Nevaeh' last='Streich'] </strong>have given the offense depth. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226880' first='Chloe' last='Burns'] </strong>is shining at setter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537306' first='Annamarie' last='Myint'] </strong>is looking sharp at libero. Plymouth Christian is ranked No. 3 in D3 right now and always a feisty small-school program. PCA can hang with any team in terms of firepower. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523905' first='Madisyn' last='Bowman'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587016' first='Lillian' last='Bowman'] </strong>are all capable of putting the ball away against top teams. Oxford is a team that will put up a fight and make things challenging for its opponents. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442971' first='Brenna' last='Mirovsky'] </strong>is a do-everything player that is going to find a way to make an impact. If there is a player that can carry her team to success, it is her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->