The Golden Girls at Beast of the East 2026 (Liberos)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <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&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591571897966">Facebook</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="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>LShot26ET25OFF</mark> - You can sign up with 25% off your registration! Don't miss out and sign up today! 🔗</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/">👋 (Code is applicable to ALL showcases across the country, find yours now <mark>HERE</mark>)</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7697783436286692638?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7621309005139035661">CHECK OUT WHO WON THE BIGGEST AND BEST TOURNAMENT IN MICHIGAN <mark>HERE!</mark></a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Beasts of the MItten were all on tap for the 2026 Beast of the East tournament at Michigan Elite Volleyball. It was the place to be for any top ranked team from all corners and all divisions in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were NO easy games here. From the very start to the very end, you had to bring your A game or learn the hard way. These athletes were all game changers in their respective teams' success. All of which led the way to gold bracket finishes, and even further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a 16 team field, we are breaking down the golden girls of the Beast of the East by position. First up, let's talk about the 'bros. This is where it all begins, makes or breaks the play and these liberos were on another level last Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='809442' first='Zoey' last='Klunder'] - Grand Rapids Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First up, I love a libero with a lot of fire. [player_tooltip player_id='809442' first='Zoey' last='Klunder'] was not only one of the best in her position in terms of skill and play, but she was maybe one of the more fun 'bros to watch live. Klunder brings the energy and acts as an emotional leader for a top ranked Grand Rapids Christian group that finished second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield'] - Byron Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a reason that Byron Center is so subtly unstoppable. It starts at the serve and pass, and that all centers around [player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield'] in the off colored jersey. The Western Michigan commit's star continues to shine brighter and brighter the further we got into the day. There was simply no hitter too strong to keep her down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":941946,"width":"217px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/Ashlyn-Pelon.jpg?w=885" alt="" class="wp-image-941946" style="width:217px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] - Marian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Marian had an earlier exit than expected on Saturday, one thing is for certain and that is [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] at libero. This is one of the most steady players you can come across. She's sound in receive and would jump in front of any ball to keep the play alive. Her play in left back is frustrating for opponents and keeps the Mustangs a step ahead of them always.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='470701' first='Zoey' last='Kapeller'] - Orchard Lake St. Mary</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orchard Lake St. Mary may have been down a few players on Saturday, but they were surely never our. One big reason why was the step up in play from [player_tooltip player_id='470701' first='Zoey' last='Kapeller']. This is a player you don't typically see too often in the fact that she is quite tall for the position. This natural attribute poses a lot range and coverage for Kapeller and that was on full display.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='807754' first='Rease' last='Buza'] - Utica Eisenhower</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you talk about Utica Eisenhower, we do not talk about their libero quite nearly enough. But that'll change for the moment. [player_tooltip player_id='807754' first='Rease' last='Buza'] is one of the most unsung heroes in the gym. Quiet, balanced and does her job, everything you could want in the position. Despite an early bow out of the tournament, Buza remains an impressive cog in the machine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Haley Henry - North Branch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like always, North Branch will never be out. As this season has progressed, so has the Bronco. One of those main reasons? Look right here in the libero position. Haley Henry has upped her game so much in these last few weeks of play and it was all to be showcased here at Beast of the East. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7698047929138924813?is_from_webapp=1u0026amp;sender_device=pcu0026amp;web_id=7621309005139035661","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"tiktok","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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/7698047929138924813?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7621309005139035661 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->