Beast of the East Preview, Pool Breakdown Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The 2026 Prep Dig Exposure Tour hits Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 6. We've now added Universal Speed Testing as part of the event, which is open to 2027-2030 prospects.</em> <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/exposure-tour-michigan"><strong><em>Get signed up for the event</em></strong></a> <em>now and use <strong>promo code ET26DREW25OFF</strong> to get <strong>25% off</strong> your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Beast of the East Tournament is set to take place this weekend in Livonia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always one of the best prep tournaments each year, 32 teams will compete for the Beast of the East title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's field is stacked with elite talent and should be an outstanding display of Michigan volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at four of the eight pools for Beast of the East and players to watch this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool E</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> Byron Center, Romeo, Harper Creek, Northville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs have looked like they are on a mission to finish the job they left last year by reaching the state semifinals. This is an experienced group that can compete with anyone in this event. It's not going to be an easy pool, as Romeo and Harper Creek bring a lot of firepower, while Northville was a team that won this very event just a few seasons ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='849930' first='Ella' last='Brannen'], So. DS/L Harper Creek; [player_tooltip player_id='807820' first='Addison' last='Bultynck'], Jr. OH Romeo; [player_tooltip player_id='809922' first='Cara' last='Crittendon'], Sr. MH Byron Center; [player_tooltip player_id='908353' first='Kenna' last='Deters'], Jr. MH Byron Center; [player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'], Sr. OH Byron Center; [player_tooltip player_id='777145' first='Andersyn' last='King'], So. S Harper Creek; [player_tooltip player_id='442980' first='Gabby' last='Lavoie'], Sr. DS/L Northville; [player_tooltip player_id='442988' first='Kaylah' last='Liedke'], Sr. L Romeo; [player_tooltip player_id='891341' first='Layla' last='Ljajcaj'], Fr. OH/MH Romeo; [player_tooltip player_id='1009768' first='Addalyn' last='Moore'], Fr. OH Northville; [player_tooltip player_id='839825' first='Camille' last='Robinson'], Sr. OH Harper Creek; [player_tooltip player_id='523832' first='Charley' last='Romeo'], Sr. OH Northville; [player_tooltip player_id='490033' first='Christina' last='Rosenow'], Sr. MB Romeo; Holland Van Dussen, So. MH Harper Creek; [player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield'], Jr. DS/L Byron Center; [player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'], Sr. S/RS Romeo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool F</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> South Lyon East, East Grand Rapids, Plymouth Christian, Trenton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This pool has a nice mix of teams with a lot of potential. South Lyon East has picked up some big wins as of late to boost its confidence to being a title contender. East Grand Rapids is very battled tested, as is Plymouth Christian as a top D3 program. Trenton has a lot of wins and is eager to prove it can take on the best of the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='490377' first='Coco' last='Bossardet'], Sr. OH East Grand Rapids; [player_tooltip player_id='587016' first='Lillian' last='Bowman'], Sr. OH Plymouth Christian; [player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman'], So. OH South Lyon East; Ava Gillis, Sr. MH East Grand Rapids; [player_tooltip player_id='845506' first='Finley' last='Grashuis'], Jr. OH East Grand Rapids; [player_tooltip player_id='788963' first='Noell' last='Hughes'], So. OH Trenton; [player_tooltip player_id='523872' first='Anika' last='Jaroszewski'], Sr. OH Plymouth Christian; [player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'], Jr. S South Lyon East; [player_tooltip player_id='890647' first='Madi' last='Lund'], Jr. MH Plymouth Christian; [player_tooltip player_id='778631' first='Breanna' last='McMahon'], So. DS South Lyon East; Brenna McMaster, Jr. OH Trenton; [player_tooltip player_id='800489' first='Mackenzee' last='Stanley-Eldred'], Sr. DS/L East Grand Rapids; [player_tooltip player_id='800551' first='Rylee' last='Stanley-Eldred'], Sr. DS/L East Grand Rapids; [player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'], Sr. DS/L South Lyon East; [player_tooltip player_id='442969' first='Avery' last='Stepp'], Sr. OH South Lyon East; [player_tooltip player_id='740623' first='Rilynn' last='Strain'], Jr. MH South Lyon East; [player_tooltip player_id='813612' first='Grace' last='Wend'], Sr. MH Trenton; [player_tooltip player_id='664290' first='Heidi' last='White'], Jr. S East Grand Rapids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool G</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> Forest Hills Northern, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Mattawan, Flushing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The amount of talented arms in this pool is pretty overwhelming. There are going to be explosive attacks all over this court in each match. Forest Hills Northern brings the strongest overall lineup, but Orchard Lake St. Mary's is a team that could really be a sleeper in this event. The Eaglets have faced the very best in the state and hold their own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='490371' first='Brooklynn' last='Brassard'], Sr. OH Mattawan; [player_tooltip player_id='720520' first='Alexis' last='Donovan'], Jr. OH OLSM; Charlotte Douglass, Jr. OH Mattawan; [player_tooltip player_id='765783' first='Ava' last='Finney'], Jr. MH Flushing; [player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'], Sr. RS FH Northern; [player_tooltip player_id='1007545' first='Chessa' last='Kaiton'], Fr. DS/L FH Northern; [player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'], Sr. OH OLSM; [player_tooltip player_id='470701' first='Zoey' last='Kapeller'], Sr. DS/L OLSM; [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'], Sr. OH FH Northern; [player_tooltip player_id='1010358' first='Marshall' last='Mills'], Fr. OH Flushing; Peyton Mills, Sr. MH Flushing; [player_tooltip player_id='937736' first='Taelyn' last='Noe'], Fr. S Mattawan; [player_tooltip player_id='1021908' first='AnneMarie' last='Pelak'], Jr. OH Mattawan; [player_tooltip player_id='881556' first='Stella' last='Polavin'], Jr. OH FH Northern; Laura Warner, Jr. MH Mattawan; [player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'], Sr. S OLSM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool H</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> Grand Haven, Frankenmuth, Marshall, Dakota</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This pool should feature a lot of tight sets, as each team is working with some explosive hitters and polished defenders. Grand Haven is ready to show it is a contender in D1, while Frankenmuth and Marshall are among the top teams in D2. Dakota is young, but can find another gear at any moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> Addison Bickel, Sr. DS/L Frankenmuth; [player_tooltip player_id='1021916' first='Addie' last='Carden'], Jr. S Marshall; [player_tooltip player_id='850401' first='Avery' last='Geer'], So. S Frankenmuth; [player_tooltip player_id='1023744' first='Delaney' last='Efthemiou'], So. DS/S Dakota; [player_tooltip player_id='812998' first='Ellie' last='Goers'], Jr. MH Grand Haven; [player_tooltip player_id='778028' first='Bria' last='Hogeboom'], Sr. S Grand Haven; [player_tooltip player_id='776808' first='Brynn' last='Johnson'], So. OH Marshall; Claire Kelly, Sr. OH Marshall; [player_tooltip player_id='977222' first='Reegan' last='Klinski'], Jr. MH Frankenmuth; Ella Ladd, Jr. DS/L Marshall; Sella Lindeman, Sr. DS/L Grand Haven; [player_tooltip player_id='765793' first='Maya' last='Lorenzo'], Jr. DS/L Dakota; [player_tooltip player_id='581597' first='Rylan' last='Morris'], Jr. OH Frankenmuth; &nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='895702' first='Iceiss' last='Morrison'], So. OH Dakota; [player_tooltip player_id='481385' first='Allison' last='Musial'], Sr. OH Grand Haven; [player_tooltip player_id='523867' first='Miranda' last='Polley'], Sr. OH/MH Frankenmuth; [player_tooltip player_id='949918' first='Mikayla' last='Sinadinoski'], Fr. DS/L Dakota; &nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='726961' first='Anna' last='Torey'], Sr. OH Dakota; [player_tooltip player_id='523870' first='Delaynee' last='Witbeck'], Sr. OH/MH Frankenmuth; [player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'], Sr. OH Grand Haven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->