Fantastic Freshman at the Beast of the East 2026

<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><strong><em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan" data-type="link" data-id="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan">🚨 SIGN UP FOR THE 2026 PREP DIG EXPOSURE TOUR TODAY! If you use the code <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">LShot26ET25OFF</mark> - You can sign up with 25% off your registration! Don't miss out and sign up today! 🔗 </a></em></strong></p>   <p><em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/all-events/">👋 (Code is applicable to ALL showcases across the country, find yours now<mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color"> HERE</mark>)</a></strong></em></p>   <p><em><strong><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7697783436286692638?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7697783436286692638?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661">CHECK OUT WHO WON THE BIGGEST AND BEST TOURNAMENT IN MICHIGAN<mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color"> HERE!</mark></a></strong></em></p>   <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p>   <p>It's one of the best tournaments in the state of Michigan, and maybe even in the midwest!</p>   <p>The Beast of the East is where all of the stars align! From the best of the best across the state, no matter the division, they are all here. This could be quite the feat for a rookie to take on. However, we saw the best finishing teams on tap feature the best rookie performances of the season.</p>   <p>Of the 32 team field, these SEVEN freshman showed up and showed off. No moment was too big for these newbies and they made their presence well known to the best tournament in Michigan. Take a look at the biggest debuts.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1043336' first='Grace' last='Arem'] - Grand Rapids Christian</h2>   <p>It's one thing to be a rookie at this kind of tournament, but to have to step up in the absence of your missing veteran at said tournament is another. After a huge day, helping guide the Eagles of Grand Rapids Christian to another championship appearance, [player_tooltip player_id='1043336' first='Grace' last='Arem'] looks to be the next big star out of this powerhouse program. </p>   <p>In the middle, while Arem wasn't seeing a huge volume, she made a huge impact. Her size and agility at the net allowed for a lot of opportunities for GRC to slow opponents down. Offensively, the few opportunities that were had, were taken care of really well. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='891341' first='Layla' last='Ljajcaj'] - Romeo</h2>   <p>We already know that [player_tooltip player_id='891341' first='Layla' last='Ljajcaj'] is the next big thing in Michigan, she's made this known well before this illusive tournament. But on Saturday, Ljajcaj seemed to have upped her game EVEN MORE. Throw her in the middle, have her rip it on the pins, maybe even pass for a rotation or two? Ljajcaj's growing versatility is what makes Romeo such a dangerous squad to come across.</p>   <p>Behind the play of Ljajcaj, Romeo was able to have one of their best outings of the season, maybe in years. In pool play, Romeo upset the eventual champions in Byron Center before marching on to a Final Four finish, losing to Grand Rapids Christian. It was the play of the rookie that really pushed the dogs ahead.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/DSC05386.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1054178" style="width:203px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey']<br>Photo by Line Shot Volleyball</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey'] - Marian</h2>   <p>We've said it before, let's say it again. [player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey'] is a welcomed breath of fresh air for this powerhouse program, Marian. Despite her youth, Hickey runs the court like a seasoned veteran. There's a level of calm and composure that this setter brings to the court that simply cannot be matched. </p>   <p>While it wasn't the most ideal of finishes, Marian lost in the Elite 8 to a tough Forest Hills Northern team. Hickey and the Mustangs did leave with some key wins over Rockford, Ubly and South Lyon. As Hickey continues to flow at this level, the more dangerous and consistent Marian becomes.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='938309' first='Juliet' last='Berishaj'] - Utica Eisenhower</h2>   <p>What has made Utica Eisenhower so dangerous in the last few years is it's utilization of the right pin. While they graduated a strong one a year ago, they welcome in an electrifying presence with Julia Berishaj. As this season has gone on, the more reliance Ike is finding themselves on this rookie. We really got to see this at Beast of the East.</p>   <p>Ike was really on a roll for the bulk of the day, and so was Berishaj. Her shot selection is really expansive and she can go around the court hitting with a lot of pace. The Eagles would eventually bow out to conference rival, Romeo, in the Elite 8 of the tournament, however. Nonetheless, Berishaj's play is something </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1009768' first='Addalyn' last='Moore'] - Northville</h2>   <p>Northville is a program that has a lot of upside when you look at its roster. Very young, very talented and only going to get stronger. Per usual, this is a squad that is full of top notch defenders, what's missing is an ace attacker on the court. Look no further than this phenom in [player_tooltip player_id='1009768' first='Addalyn' last='Moore']. Moore had to step up in a lot of ways on Saturday and delivered quite nicely on all fronts.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Payton Bowman - Plymouth Christian</h2>   <p>One of the line Division 3 or 4 schools at the tournament, Plymouth Christian always knows how to hold their own in a room full of big dogs. What's even more impressive about that is when you look at the source of the offensive production, and its a freshman. This could be a daunting task, but Payton Bowman steadily delivered. PCA had a solid showing and its future is even brighter with this at the center of it all for three more seasons.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='949918' first='Mikayla' last='Sinadinoski'] - Dakota</h2>   <p>When it comes to Dakota nowadays, it is DS/libero galore over there. So many high level, top notch liberos are entering and exiting this program. So, what makes this player even more impressive than just her sheer performance at this elite level tournament is that she's only starting out. While she's surrounding by players with experience over her in this program, [player_tooltip player_id='949918' first='Mikayla' last='Sinadinoski'] has stepped into the jersey and has yet to look back. When you watch her play this weekend, there is simply no doubts about it.</p>   <p></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7698072357981703455?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661 </div></figure>

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