The Golden Girls at Beast of the East 2026 (Outside Hitters)

<!-- 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" 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! 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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. In this one, we're breaking down the LONG and ELITE list of outside hitters that were on tap this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the OTHER Golden Girls at Beast of the East, <em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/the-golden-girls-at-beast-of-the-east-2026-liberos/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/the-golden-girls-at-beast-of-the-east-2026-liberos/">Liberos</a></strong></em> - <em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/the-golden-girls-at-beast-of-the-east-2026-setters/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/the-golden-girls-at-beast-of-the-east-2026-setters/">Setters</a></strong></em> - <em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/the-golden-girls-at-beast-of-the-east-2026-middle-blockers/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/the-golden-girls-at-beast-of-the-east-2026-middle-blockers/">Middle Blockers</a></strong></em> - <em><strong>Outside Hitters</strong></em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1054777,"width":"200px","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/5/2026/10/DSC05429.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1054777" style="width:200px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grace Goodyke<br>Photo By Line Shot Volleyball</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'] - Grand Rapids Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There weren't too many other outsides in the field matching Grace Goodyke. There is a reason that Grand Rapids Christian is touted as the best team in the state in 2026, and a huge one is Goodyke. This player has truly blossomed into the complete player. Always known for her prowess as an attacker, Goodyke has stepped up big time in the back court as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523841' first='Taylor' last='Frost'] - Grand Rapids Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can find her hitting, you can find her setting, whatever it is, Taylor Frost is doing the most. Alongside Goodyke, Frost can be quite the presence on the court as an attacker. Despite her size, Frost has a hammer for an arm and just about all of the shots you could imagine. She came up clutch many times throughout the day making up for some lost production in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Delaynee Whitback - Frankenmuth</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankenmuth is having one of their best seasons yet and they had maybe their best Beast of the East outing ever. The emergence of Delaynee Whitback is a huge factor in all of that. This is a name that wasn't highly scouted on coming into it, but coming out, everyone knows who Whitback is. She plays the entire game extremely well. A reliable passer and defender, Whitback then can follow up with some blistering kills on the left side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] - Orchard Lake St. Mary</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You really have to give this Georgetown bound hitter her flowers, especially after this weekend. It's not out of the ordinary to see Avery Kapeller take a huge portion of OLSM's swings and dominate. But this weekend, her team was without two key pieces in the offense, which meant Kapeller had to do even more, if that was even possible. Behind the force of her arm, Kapeller managed to keep Orchard Lake a contender in the gold bracket rounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='644157' first='Addison' last='Bultynck'] - Romeo</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team truly ebbs and flows as far as Addison Bultynck can go. This junior outside hitter doesn't come off the court and for good reason. She's a reliable passer and defender in the back court and a huge piece to Romeo's offense. While the Bulldogs run a super middle heavy offense, Bultynck is someone who can take care of the out of system play and bring in critical points. She was a key piece to both of Romeo's upset wins on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1057182,"width":"221px","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/5/2026/10/DSC05347.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1057182" style="width:221px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elise Biermann<br>Photo by Line Shot Volleyball</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] - Utica Eisenhower</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like her MAC Counterpart, Bultynck, Elise Biermann just plays the entire game so well. You simply cannot take her off. Whether she is diming passes, chasing down balls or taking care of the kill, Biermann does so much for Ike. Her reliability as well as versatility is truly what makes Eisenhower so hard to take down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='888951' first='Piper' last='Vugteveen'] - Hudsonville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knowing that Hudsonville has this player on their roster for the next two year after this season is scary to think about. Piper Vugteveen has such an incredible upside and was on full display on Saturday. Whether you catch her on the outside or at the opposite, Vugteveen is a dominating presence. She has the power and the shots to score at nauseam if you let her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='888384' first='Allysse' last='Deshetsky'] - North Branch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As this player continues to blossom in her game, so will North Branch. Allysse Deshetsky comes from a long line of power players from the Bronco program, so she is no stranger to knowing what it takes. Deshetsky is one of those undersized dandies that frustrate the heck out of opponents. She is beginning to tap more into that part of her game and its proving super successful. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='732306' first='Reese' last='Williams'] - Roscommon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is no wonder that Roscommon is one of the best teams in Division 3 after watching Reese Williams take center stage. This is a generational player for the Bucks. Williams plays the whole game and she plays it extremely well. For Roscommon, she is needed to bring it the points and that is exactly what she does. Against the best in the state, Williams' production didn't waiver whatsoever and maybe even stepped up a notch or two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7698781635654733070?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/7698781635654733070?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7621309005139035661 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='769601' first='Mara' last='Williams'] - Roscommon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right alongside her little sister, Reese, Mara Williams seriously upped her game a notch or two to make an impression at Beast of the East. She is one of those small, but springy players that just make your head spin. So explosive and so crafty with her shots, Williams was able to score at high clip all weekend long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1054779,"width":"219px","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/5/2026/10/DSC05590.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1054779" style="width:219px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mara Williams<br>Photo by Line Shot Volleyball</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman'] - South Lyon East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to find a better and more relied on player in the gym. Lexi Coleman is the heart and soul of this South Lyon East squad. Don't believe me? Just look at the stats. Coleman is racking in 7, nearly 8 kills per set, and hitting at an insane clip for someone taking on that many swings. This also goes to say, all these teams know who's getting the ball and she can still manage to score on such defensive schemes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] - Byron Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you're one of the best LIBEROS in the country, you tend to see the court a bit different. That's all you need to know when (or if) you ever wonder how Mallory Johnson is such an effective hitter. Make no mistake, Johnson can muscle a ball with the best of them. But what makes her play so tough is her vision for the court. She doesn't have to rely upon the loud boom to make a point, she is making her money by chipping away off blocks, finding the open corners and throwing the ball where you aren't. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be the best we have seen of Riley Loehfelm all season. When you bring the best of the best all to one tournament, it has an effect on people. For a player like Loehfelm, her game explodes. You particularly saw this in matches like Forest Hills Northern's upset over Marian. Everything Loehfelm touched turned into gold. That was nothing new throughout the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opposite of Loehfelm, Brooke Johnson also had a season high day. When you have two players of these kind of calibers operating like that, its going to be a tough day. Johnson brings so much more to the court than your typical opposite. While an effective scorer, Johnson brings superb ball control and allows FHN to have all options at all times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1057183,"width":"212px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7510017172295363","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/5/2026/10/DSC05415.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1057183" style="aspect-ratio:0.7510017172295363;width:212px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mallory Woiteshek<br>Photo by Line Shot Volleyball</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] - Grand Haven</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you have a player like this on your side of the net, you simply cannot get her the ball enough. Mallory Woiteshek has one of the heaviest arms in the gym and there is no limit to where she can bring down the hammer from. At 6'4, Woiteshek has an incredible reach and range that can simply over pass the best of blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] - Marian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It goes without saying that Sophia Smith is one of, if not the best opposite in Michigan right now. From an offensive look, Smith is as dominating as they come. She scores at a high clip and can light up the toughest of defenders. While Marian looks to her for her arm, they also rely heavily on her for her ball control and leadership that proved crucial throughout the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson'] - Marian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From pin to pin, this is the kind of game that makes Marian so dangerous. Smith on the right, but you got to keep an eye on Quinn Nelson on the left. Much like her counterpart, Nelson does it all. She has the cannon slinging arm and she has the touch in the back court that annoys her opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'] - South Lyon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The more South Lyon can get Kennedy Duncan going, the better the results become. This was quite evident on Saturday. Duncan has no issue fitting in with some of the best hitters in the gym. She has the strength and she has the range capable of scoring a lot of points, even when teams are camping out on her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7698072357981703455?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/7698072357981703455?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7621309005139035661 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->