Lowell’s East vs. West Challenge Preview

<!-- 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>Another outstanding collection of volleyball teams will be on display this Saturday when Lowell hosts the East vs. West Challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16-team tournament features eight teams from the East and eight teams from the West battling it out for a high-profile championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Play will get started at 8:30 a.m. with four, four-team pools before the top eight teams move on to Gold Bracket play to determine a winner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at each of the four pools and some of the outstanding talent you can catch at Lowell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool A</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Teams:</em></strong> <em>Grand Rapids Christian (No. 1 D2), Utica Eisenhower (No. 5 D1), Bloomfield Hills (HM D1), Rockford</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's definitely not an easy out in this one. Rockford is the only team not in the rankings, but the Rams still have a lot of talent and play scrappy volleyball. GRC has been arguably the best team in the state this year, but setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski']</strong> suffered an injury at Beast of the East. Hopefully she's able to go and GRC can be at their best with hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881552' first='Mya' last='McKinnon']</strong> in the mix. Eisenhower is one of the most well-balanced teams around the floor and capable of wins against anyone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi']</strong> is one of the best setters in the state and she's got big arms to work with in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='938309' first='Juliet' last='Berishaj']</strong>. Bloomfield Hills won't be lacking in fire power either, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768151' first='Emily' last='Nwabueze']</strong> nearly tearing the cover off the ball these days. Rockford can turn to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897539' first='Haley' last='Armock']</strong> for a lot of big swings as well. This pool is likely to come down to the team that can extend rallies with strong back-row play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool B</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Teams:</em></strong> <em>Marian (No. 2 D1), Forest Hills Northern (No. 6 D1), Jenison (HM D1), Lake Orion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an interesting pool as Northern just picked up a nice win over Marian last week at Beast of the East, so the Mustangs should be plenty motivated for revenge. Marian has so many great players on the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson']</strong> just looks better and better as a do-everything player. She and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon']</strong> are very talented passers for the Mustangs to rely on. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre']</strong> can also take over a match on the pins. FH Northern has arguably the best outsides in the state collectively with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'], [player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881556' first='Stella' last='Polavin']</strong>. They pose a lot of challenges for defenders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'], Rylee Fennema</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041164' first='Kinsley' last='Hippey']</strong> can be difference-makers for Jenison this weekend with their ability to dig up the ball and get it to middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson']</strong>. Lake Orion has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709804' first='McKenzie' last='Reid']</strong> in the back row to try and take on these big hitters, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807779' first='Isabelle' last='Lawhorn']</strong> is a solid all-around outside hitter that will give the Dragons all she's got.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool C</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Teams:</em></strong> <em>Mercy (No. 1 D1), Lowell (No. 8 D1), BC Lakeview (HM D1), Midland Dow</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked Marlins recently got junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews']</strong> back in the mix. She joins an already impressive attack led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']</strong>, along with dynamic freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1009098' first='Laura' last='Aubrey']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='984451' first='Cate' last='Verkeyn']</strong>. With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton']</strong> running the offense, the Marlins are always going to feel like the team to beat in any event. The Red Arrows will have a little home-court advantage this Saturday. The young team keeps growing up and playing stronger. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007121' first='Brielle' last='Eveland']</strong> has played about as well as any freshman in the state as the Lowell setter. Another freshman, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1008391' first='Brooklyn' last='Barriger']</strong> has been a great asset on the attack and on defense, while sophomore middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888958' first='Ellery' last='Bieneman']</strong> is putting the ball away at a high rate. Speaking of young talent, BC Lakeview has two really impressive sophomore outsides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='775991' first='Sydney' last='Manning']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='965713' first='Lanie' last='Overbeek']</strong>. Manning alone has over 300 kills and 400 digs this fall. Dow has a great opportunity to make a name for itself this weekend against some top competition. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845232' first='Avery' last='Bailey']</strong> has been outstanding in 2026 and can boost her profile even further against this kind of opposition. Freshman outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1009770' first='Waverly' last='Diegel']</strong> is also someone to watch. She's one of the top 2030 prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pool D</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Teams:</em></strong> <em>Byron Center (No. 3 D1), Clarkston (No. 9 D1), Orchard Lake St. Mary's (HM D1), East Grand Rapids (HM D1)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps the best pool top-to-bottom, as all four teams are part of the current Division 1 rankings. Byron Center is coming off the great Beast of the East title. They do a great job of keeping the ball off the floor behind the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield']</strong>, while Johnson, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830699' first='Caitlin' last='Hartson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908353' first='Kenna' last='Deters']</strong> put the ball away at a high rate. The Wolves also are a team that are fundamentally sound and can extend rallies behind the defensive play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757121' first='Stella' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809036' first='Maya' last='Kuebler']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</strong> is arguably the top setter in the state and she is getting some great swings out of Kuebler and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442985' first='Josie' last='Seets']</strong>. OLSM is maybe the most battle-tested team in the state and it's leading to elevated play right now. The Eaglets looked solid at BOE and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller']</strong> is one of the best outsides in the state. Her sister, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470701' first='Zoey' last='Kapeller']</strong>, was great at libero last weekend, digging up some of the biggest arms in Michigan. The team was able to excel even without starting setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber']</strong>, who will be available this weekend. EGR is another team that can rely on fundamentals behind the play of libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800551' first='Rylee' last='Stanley-Eldred']</strong> and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664290' first='Heidi' last='White']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845506' first='Finley' last='Grashuis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490377' first='Coco' last='Bossardet']</strong> give the Pioneers some big arms to hang with the top teams this weekend, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->