Breakout Performers at the Beast of the Northeast
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It was an invigorating couple days at the Beast of the Northeast. I can’t help but reflect on the difference over the past couple of years and all that we’ve gone through to get here. There were a lot of talented…
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Continue ReadingIt was an invigorating couple days at the Beast of the Northeast. I can’t help but reflect on the difference over the past couple of years and all that we’ve gone through to get here. There were a lot of talented teams and players all under one roof for the inaugural Beast of the Northeast hosted by Notre Dame Academy held at the Community First Champion Center. And, as always, I love to find some new talent and new names.
Here are some players who caught my attention in this 24-team preseason tournament.
Gloudemans surprised me when she came out of no where and took a heavy swing in the split. She is the second line of attack for the Mustangs. Gloudemans is an explosive outside hitter with a fast arm.
Kluess was the middle opposite Rider commit, Molly Rohde Molly Rohde 5’11” | MB Hortonville | 2023 State WI . She helped lead the attack with stability and took a fast swing to the one corner. Kluess ran multiple routes and angles with a fast arm swing and got her hands on a lot of blocks.
At 6’3 McDermid made a big statement at the Beast of the Northeast. She was the Pirate’s big middle taking swings with a high contact point and a heavy arm. McDermid also put up a monster block that made opposing attackers nervous.
Hendricks made a big impression at the Beast with her scrappy style of play and ability to get the job done against some big blockers and tough defenders. She is explosive, takes a well placed shot, and adds some pace to demonstrate her ability to come in clutch when her team needed it. Hendricks has a wicked serve that is low, flat, and floats to the sideline. She knows just when to pull the quick setter dump and executes it so well.
Perry is really athletic and makes a great deep line push to score a lot of points. West DePere has their key attacker, and it’s impossible to ignore Perry when she takes a nice angle of approach in order to use the opposing block. She mixes up her shots and placement making her tough to predict.
What makes Blahnik stand out is her hustle everywhere for everything. She plays with grittiness and her effort makes her a great asset for Preble.
Smith could realistically play just about any position at the net. She takes care of the net as a physical blocker. Smith can take a swing in front of the setter or she runs a strong slide route behind the setter. She is effective and can work the angles as well as finds the deep corners.
Highlights
Other Notables:
- Anna Vandenlangenberg Anna Vandenlangenberg 5'10" | OH Oconto | 2024 State WI
- Brailyn St. Louis Brailyn St. Louis 5'6" | OH Oconto Falls | 2023 WI
- Josie Spors Josie Spors 5'9" | OH Randolph | 2023 State WI
- Keira VanDeHei Keira VanDeHei OH Seymour | 2025 WI
- Lauren Kellner Lauren Kellner 6'0" | MB Pulaski | 2025 State WI
- Lexi Coon Lexi Coon 5'6" | DS/L St. Mary's Springs | 2025 State WI
- Lydia Olson Lydia Olson OH Holmen | 2024 WI
- Mallory Binsfeld Mallory Binsfeld 5'11" | MB West DePere | 2025 WI
- Margie Stevens Margie Stevens 6'1" | MB Green Bay Southwest | 2023 State WI
- Serena Timmer Serena Timmer MB Appleton East | 2023 WI