Beasts from Beast of the East 2025 (Part 2)

<p><em><strong>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!</strong></em></p>   <p><em><strong>The Prep Dig Exposure Tour is coming to Michigan on December 21! This is for all 2026-2029 prospects. <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2032/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan#register">Click here to register</a>, and use promo code “LSHOTPD25” to get $10 off your registration.</strong></em></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>There is simply nowhere else you wanted to be. Beast of the East is the premier event for some of Michigan's best volleyball.</p>   <p>Once again, this year's edition of the tournament did not disappoint whatsoever. We had the heavyweight brawls against some of the state's best, stars emerged on the big stage and history was made. In nearly it's 15 year run, this year's Beast of the East saw its first ever west side champion. Many from the west have come close, but never quite finished.</p>   <p>Not to be denied a second year in row, the Rockford Rams took home the title in dominating fashion. The Rams lead the charge of a VERY west side heavy tournament that saw SEVEN of the NINE west side programs on tap make the gold bracket. Of those seven, the Final Four consisted of THREE Grand Rapid Area teams including Forest Hills Northern and Hudsonville.</p>   <p>We took a look at Beast of the East's All-Tournament team. However, that simply does not scratch the surface of the kind of volleyball that was being played here. We have to do a deep dive on some of the talent you didn't hear about yet. Here's a look at the Beasts from the Beast of the East, Part 2.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2>   <p>What impresses me so much about this player is her ability to be chameleon on the court. While we've become accustomed to her on the right side, [player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] can really do just about anything. This fall, we see her mostly in the middle, but with the system in which this team runs, Johnson runs so many different combinations. Her versatility along the net opens up so many different opportunities for FHN to score in side out and transition situations.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] - Northville</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] heads up a truly dynamic offense for Northville. One of the many littles, Burlingame is going down as one of the best to come through this program. At Beast of the East, it was an unideal result to the day. However, one can never overlook the work that Burlingame puts out onto the court. She covers so much ground and can will her team's way into matches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brooklyn Brassard - Mattawan</h2>   <p>Mattawan is one of those programs that consistently puts up solid squads year after year. This year is no different and maybe one of their better outings yet at this illusive tournament. Brooklyn Brassard acts as this team's heartbeat. Mattawan really rides and dies on the production from this six rotation outside. On Saturday, Brassard more than delivered. Her live wire arm was a crucial part in carving their way into the gold bracket.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='826938' first='Larkin' last='Baima'] - Mattawan</h2>   <p>Right alongside Brassard, [player_tooltip player_id='826938' first='Larkin' last='Baima'] in the middle creates one heckuva one-two punch. She's another athlete with a high octane presence to her. She brings in a lot of fast production out of the middle with a lot of energy as well. Her block presence also proved critical in some of the bigger matches as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] - South Lyon East</h2>   <p>This player continues to develop and is becoming so much fun to watch. For South Lyon East, [player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] is one to wear many hats. She's setting the game out of the back row and when she cycles into the front, she is a force up at the net. She's mostly relied upon to shut down opposing attackers, but her offense on the right pin has become increasing effective as well. This was on full display on Saturday.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='806307' first='Leah' last='Burlison'] - Hudsonville </h2>   <p>Hudsonville was able to sneak in a very successful outing at Beast of the East. If this weekend was of any indication, Hudsonville is more than capable of breaking some hearts come November. [player_tooltip player_id='806307' first='Leah' last='Burlison'] on the left pin was maybe the biggest catalyst of that, at least from a scoring perspective. I have seen this player in action before, but never have I seen her take on these kind of swings and be such an electric presence at the net. It was quite fun to see.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'] - Davison </h2>   <p>Davison may not have had the strongest outing at Michigan Elite, but one highlight is for sure and that is in their libero position with [player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves']. What is definitely Davison's strongest facet as a team is their defense, and Naves is every bit a part of it all. With loads of athleticism, Naves is capable of taking on a wide range of court space in both her passing and defense. She allows her team to really stay strong in matches where they have mismatches at the net.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper'] - Roscommon</h2>   <p>One of the few smaller schools on tap for this mega tournament, [player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper'] looked more than comfortable competing against the best of the best. With the size to go toe-to-toe with some of them, it was a no brainer that she could, too! Carper wow'ed at the net. When she wasn't getting shut down blocks, she was giving her team a chance to score with her touch. And if that meant finding her in transition, Carper was putting down the ball more times than not. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski'] & [player_tooltip player_id='523841' first='Taylor' last='Frost'] - Grand Rapids Christian</h2>   <p>It's not everyday you come across a team with one high level setter, let alone TWO! The way that Grand Rapids Christian utilizes both [player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523841' first='Taylor' last='Frost'] is great! Both in the game for six rotations, when one is in the back court setting, the other is at the net setting. The two bring such a dynamic look to the court and can be interchanged at any time. The two compliment each other's styles very well and not many opponents were able to get a grasp of the Eagles.</p>

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