Beast of the East Standouts: The ‘Bros

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most stacked field of teams we may have ever seen at Beast of the East, these teams came in ready to play and it made for an epic day of volleyball!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all of the top notch attackers on display, you needed some stellar defense to keep them humbled. UWM Sports Complex held host to some of the best liberos not only within Michigan, but in the country. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here were some of the top 'Bros from this weekend's Beast of the East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='66297' first='Kalliann' last='Cook'] - Birch Run</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":130361,"width":258,"height":172,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Kalliann-Cook-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-130361" width="258" height="172"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A name that has been in consistent conversation as one of the top liberos in Michigan for years now, [player_tooltip player_id='66297' first='Kalliann' last='Cook'] (Austin Peay) was on full display this weekend. With a lot of speed and persistence, Cook is one of the scrappiest defenders you could find in the field. An All-Tournament team member, Cook remains a crucial cog in Birch Run's success and post-season hopes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'] - Clarkston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkston has been making some pretty serious noise this season and was continuing their rowdy nature at Beast of the East. One of the rowdiest of the bunch is their libero, [player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher']. A mainstay in the libero jersey against some hefty in-house competition, Gallagher was on fire this weekend. With every blow sent her way, Gallagher was never fazed by the heat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='66305' first='Lauren' last='Heming'] - Marian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beast of the East was the perfect showcase for [player_tooltip player_id='66305' first='Lauren' last='Heming'] to show just how much she has improved in the last year or so. While she returns to the libero jersey for a third season now, Heming has been playing on a whole other level and was in her element this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] - Lakewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":129022,"width":238,"height":156,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/DSC_7154-crop-2043x1342-1612456944.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-129022" width="238" height="156"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time and time again, [player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] proves to be a powerhouse in the off-colored jersey. This weekend stood as another example of why. No matter how big the hitter, Piercefield is always ready for the smoke. Against Skyline, Piercefield was critical in nearly upsetting the Eagles in pool play and managed to hold one the toughest attackers in the country to her fourth lowest hitting percentage on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='152528' first='Ella' last='McAllister'] - Marshall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a Miss Volleyball nominee, the bar was pretty high going into the weekend and I would say [player_tooltip player_id='152528' first='Ella' last='McAllister'] raised the bar even higher after watching her play. A steadfast defender and a huge presence in Marshall's reception line, Marshall was able to hang against the big dogs at Beast of the East pretty well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] - North Branch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A part of the trio of 'Bros to make the All-Tournament team, [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] deserves all the respect she gets and more. While the Bronco's went on to go undefeated in pool play and nearly found themselves in the championship match, Green was a huge contributor to this. Green is a relentless player and is beginning to show some true leadership on the court going into the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'], [player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] - Northville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has to be one of the best defensive lines you could find at Beast of the East! Not one, not two, but three players you could slot into the libero jersey on one team is unheard of. They say that serve and pass wins matches, and that explains why Northville is having so much success. [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'] are such powerful compliments in the back court. While [player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'] (Northern Iowa) is playing her best volleyball ever at the perfect time. This trio was a driving force to the Beast of the East title and will be huge for Northville's Division 1 hopes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":220221,"width":159,"height":149,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Oxford-quad-46-1024x958.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220221" width="159" height="149"/><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent'] - Notre Dame Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Off the back of being named to the 2022 Under Armor All-America Game roster, Alabama bound [player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent'] left no doubt to how she got the invite. One of the breakout players in the libero jersey this season, Berent was one of the best at Beast of the East. A tough receiver and a wide range in her defense, Berent is huge force for the Irish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] - Saline</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about breakout liberos, look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] at Saline. While taking over the jersey earlier in the season, Behen has seemed to soar in her new found position. Despite a rough pool play, Behen was a constant highlight for the Hornets throughout the day showing a lot of resiliency and leadership on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] - St. Mary's Catholic Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] can be very easily touted as one of the top liberos in the country for the 2025 class, but for awhile now, she's been killing it on the left side for SMCC. Beast of the East saw Payne return to her natural position at libero and in the position, SMCC's stock is on the skyrocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Join us at the<a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/09/the-prep-dig-top-250-expo-series-is-back-2/">&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotPDExpo250 for 10% off your registration fee. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->