South Lyon East’s ‘Sort It Out’ Standouts and Observations

South Lyon East held a great event on Saturday featuring nine of the best teams in the state.   The “Sort It Out” Tournament had the nine teams randomly selected into three different pools of three. Those pools played out and then three new pools were created based on results. After the second set of pool play, the top four teams went on to play in a single-elimination tournament.   Here's how the results looked:   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">First Set Of Pool Play</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Court 1: Mercy def. South Lyon East 28-26, 25-20 Mercy def. Rockford 25-17, 25-17 South Lyon East def. Rockford 25-10, 25-16</td><td>Court 2: GR Christian def. Eisenhower 25-17, 25-14 GR Christian def. Lowell 25-21, 20-25, 15-8 Eisenhower def. Lowell 25-18, 25-17</td><td>Court 3: Marian def. Clarkston 25-15, 25-14 Marian def. Romeo 25-11, 20-25, 15-6 Clarkston def. Romeo 25-17, 25-13</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Second Set Of Pool Play</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Court 1: Mercy def. Marian 25-23, 23-25, 15-7 Mercy def. Rockford 25-16, 26-24 Marian def. Rockford 25-17, 25-19</td><td>Court 2: GR Christian def. Eisenhower 22-25, 25-20, 15-10 GR Christian def. Romeo 25-15, 25-22 Eisenhower def. 25-21, 22-25, 15-9</td><td>Court 3: Clarkston def. South Lyon East 28-26, 18-25, 15-9 South Lyon East def. Lowell 25-22, 26-24 Clarkston def. Lowell 25-22, 23-25, 15-8</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Semifinal & Finals</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Semifinals: GR Christian def. Marian 20-25, 25-21, 15-12 Mercy def. Clarkston 25-16, 25-13</td><td>Finals: GR Christian def. Mercy 25-20, 25-18</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Standouts & Observations</h2>   This was a unique event with some very high-level volleyball featuring teams from both sides of the state. Each had some highlights and some players that stood out with their play.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/SL-East-Invite-18.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski']" class="wp-image-1024000" style="aspect-ratio:1.2673199281707939;width:334px;height:auto" /></figure>   Grand Rapids Christian: The Eagles have to feel great about winning this event. Beating Marian and Mercy to close out the day are two really big feathers in their cap. Their front line of [player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'], [player_tooltip player_id='881552' first='Mya' last='McKinnon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski'] are hard to top. They've got tremendous power, athleticism, and length at the net. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='809442' first='Zoey' last='Klunder'] also deserves a lot of credit for her play at libero. You can't win an event like this without strong defensive play.   Mercy: The Marlins are definitely going to be one of the team's to beat in Division 1. They were without top junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews'] on Saturday, but you wouldn't know it through their constant firepower. [player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] remains an outstanding outside attack and defender, while [player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton'] runs a great offense at setter. The Marlins are utilizing three talented freshman in the rotation right now. One that really stood out on Saturday was [player_tooltip player_id='1009098' first='Laura' last='Aubrey'], who hit with as much force as anyone at the event.   Marian: The Mustangs are going to be right in the mix as well. They've got great balance around the floor. They were without top middle [player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson'], but one of the big things for the Mustangs is that [player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'] is back on the floor after dealing with injuries the last two seasons. Having her on the court provides added offensive and defensive balance. She completes a great trio of attackers on the pins in [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson']. The offense is run by a pair of freshmen setters in [player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='922119' first='Reese' last='Berryman'], who already show great poise.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/SL-East-Invite-65.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='442985' first='Josie' last='Seets']" class="wp-image-1023946" style="aspect-ratio:1.1130257009345794;width:333px;height:auto" /></figure>   Clarkston: The Wolves really scrap, which gives them a chance in any match. They lack the size up front that a lot of their top opponents feature, but they make up for it with great technique on defense and behind setter [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']. Smith will always keep Clarkston in a match. Defensively, libero [player_tooltip player_id='757121' first='Stella' last='Smith'] and outside [player_tooltip player_id='809036' first='Maya' last='Kuebler'] are a big strength. Offensively, [player_tooltip player_id='442985' first='Josie' last='Seets'] showed some really good flashes as the event went on. She brings some of the size and athleticism that the Wolves will need as the season progresses.   South Lyon East: The Cougars have a lot of top players at their respective positions, which makes them a threat against anyone. If East can put it altogether by the end of the season, it's got a real shot to reach Battle Creek. [player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman'] is as good as anyone at the net and she will continue to pile up the kills. [player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] is a unique setter that brings a lot of intangibles to the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='442969' first='Avery' last='Stepp'] add a lot of poise and polish with their defensive play to keep this team in any match.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/SL-East-Invite-46.jpg?w=1024" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi']" class="wp-image-1024011" style="aspect-ratio:1.4104715142243824;width:334px;height:auto" /></figure>   Eisenhower: The Eagles truly are a team, as every player in the rotation plays a significant role. This well-balanced team should only get better as the season progresses and will be a really difficult team to beat come the postseason. [player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'] is an outstanding setter and the glue that keeps the team together, but she's got a lot of powerful arms to feed the ball to. [player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'] as a senior and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='938309' first='Juliet' last='Berishaj'] are big-time power finishers that are hitting over .300 while [player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] plays a lot of smart shots and is a big defensive asset alongside libero [player_tooltip player_id='807754' first='Rease' last='Buza']. There's a lot to like about Eisenhower.   Lowell: The bad news for Lowell is that they are young. The good news for Lowell is that they are young. The Red Arrows took sets from GRC, Eisenhower, and Clarkston on Saturday, but still show some young mistakes that will eventually get corrected. The Red Arrows lost a key senior leader in [player_tooltip player_id='806256' first='Laney' last='Bieneman'] to an injury, making the lineup even younger than expected. Still, sophomore middle [player_tooltip player_id='888958' first='Ellery' last='Bieneman'] really impressed against some of the top middles in the state. Freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='1007121' first='Brielle' last='Eveland'] and freshman outside [player_tooltip player_id='1008391' first='Brooklyn' last='Barriger'] show a lot of promise and are going to be impact players for years to come. [player_tooltip player_id='839870' first='Harper' last='Schaedig'] did a great job of leading on the floor as a junior outside and leaves it all on the floor.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/SL-East-Invite-24.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1024013" style="aspect-ratio:1.5609895961333662;width:337px;height:auto" /></figure>   Romeo: The Bulldogs also showed flashes of what they can do by taking sets from Marian, Clarkston, and Eisenhower. Romeo has a high ceiling as it brings a lot of experience to the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'] just always seems to be involved in the play, either setting, attacking, or defending. She's everywhere all at once. Christone Rosenow is a powerful senior middle, while [player_tooltip player_id='807820' first='Addison' last='Bultynck'] is an explosive junior outside to give a great 1-2 punch. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='891341' first='Layla' last='Ljajcaj'] is definitely one to watch at the net. Look for big things from her.   Rockford: The Rams were dealt a big blow before the season began with an injury to do-everything senior leader [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']. It's forced some new faces to step up. Rockford drew Mercy twice, Marian, and South Lyon East. It's not an easy lineup to be up against, but it was valuable experience for the Rams and they played their best at the end of the event. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='897539' first='Haley' last='Armock'] are relentless at the net and will keep finding ways to finish points. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='939678' first='Molly' last='Briggs'] should be a middle that becomes a big asset at the end of the year. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='752645' first='Kaila' last='Van Drie'] left it all on the floor at libero. It was a big firing squad she was up against, but she kept the Rams in some long rallies.

South Lyon East held a great event on Saturday featuring nine of the best teams in the state.