Who's Coming to Beast of the East?

<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee. (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   One of the most hotly anticipated tournaments of the year is FINALLY here!   It's Beast of the East time. With some of the best teams from across the State of Michigan in one gym, the volleyball is going to be epic!   Last year's Beast of the East saw a showdown between Marian and Northville in the finals. While Northville took the ultimate crown, this match up was very predictive of the match up we'd see in the finals come November.   Will this year's tournament predict the future down the road in post-season? Let's take a look at who's coming to Beast of the East.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anchor Bay</h2>   Record: 8-8-1   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='274527' first='Rachel' last='Youngblood'], [player_tooltip player_id='196836' first='Amelia' last='Klos'], and [player_tooltip player_id='261180' first='Korin' last='Hutton']   Anchor Bay is going to be one of those teams that you don't want to catch on good day. A scrappy team with lots of fire power that, when on, can cause mayhem!   Led by a dominate attacker in [player_tooltip player_id='274527' first='Rachel' last='Youngblood'] (Davenport), she goes for blood when she swings. Youngblood is one of those players that'll get hers and you have to try and contain as much as you can! [player_tooltip player_id='196836' first='Amelia' last='Klos'] on the pin provides some nice assistance on the scoring front as well. The duo provide over 50% of the offense for Anchor Bay, averaging 6.5 kills pet set. S [player_tooltip player_id='261180' first='Korin' last='Hutton'] runs a really smooth offense and adds a nice defensive touch in right back.   Anchor Bay comes out of a really red hot Macomb Area Conference that features two other Beast of the East attendees, Utica Eisenhower and Dakota.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bloomfield Hills</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_7737.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-451910" style="width:259px;height:247px" width="259" height="247" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze']</figcaption></figure>   Record: 24-7   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'], [player_tooltip player_id='219684' first='Kora' last='Nicolanti'], and [player_tooltip player_id='523642' first='Natalie' last='Petrucci']   Bloomfield Hills has put themselves through the gauntlet this season. Despite a tough schedule, BH has put up some impressive performances. This is a team that can't be taken lightly. Especially with a player like [player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'] - one of the top ranked players nationally for her class. Her dominance at the net is second to none! But her versatility as a defender in the back court really helps this team.    Other key pieces include [player_tooltip player_id='219684' first='Kora' last='Nicolanti'] (Adrian) and [player_tooltip player_id='523642' first='Natalie' last='Petrucci']. Nicolanti is another 6 rotation player that takes on the brunt of the reception duties as well as taking care of the trash on the pin. Petrucci adds some nice depth to the pins as well. She does well with a variety of different shots to keep opponents alert. The two combine on the pin for over 3 kills per set.   Bloomfield Hills has key wins over the likes of No. 5 Mercy and Dakota.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Coopersville</h2>   Record: 17-8-2   Impact Players: Kirstyn Lothschultz and [player_tooltip player_id='487157' first='Khloe' last='Budzynski']   Coopersville has been a bit quiet this season. After losing an elite class of athletes with Emily May and Hayley Wagener, I am curious to see this team go toe to toe with the best of the best. They return MB Kirstyn Lothschultz, a highlight from last years Beast of the East outing and a spark plug for this squad this year. She's a leader in scoring with her prowess in the middle and pin. Filling in the gap left by Emily May is OH [player_tooltip player_id='487157' first='Khloe' last='Budzynski']. Budzynski not only brings the heat at the net but from the service line with a wicked top spin serve. Budzynski may be a smaller attacker, but has a nice feel for spreading her attack around the court to score.   Coopersville has a notable win over Traverse City Central while splitting with Grandville twice this season. This will prove a huge test for Coopersville this weekend.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dakota</h2>   Record: 16-11-1   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_7165.jpg?w=968" alt="" class="wp-image-451911" style="width:243px;height:257px" width="243" height="257" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='191749' first='Abigail' last='Wutka']</figcaption></figure>   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'], [player_tooltip player_id='172209' first='Karley' last='Pretzer'], [player_tooltip player_id='191749' first='Abigail' last='Wutka'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman']   Speaking of programs regrouping from stellar classes, Dakota had one of the best in 2022! Nevertheless, this is a program always within the mix. As the season grows, so does this team. With a formidable blocking line up at the net to some steady pass and defense, this group could make a big splash this weekend.   At the net, leading the way is the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='224604' first='Katerina' last='Stout'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'] (Grand Valley). Both standing at around 6'2, you'll be hard pressed to find a ball maneuvering past their block. The two have also been very hot handed the last few weeks offensively which would come in clutch at BOE.   Alongside the middles, Dakota has a solid duo on the pins as well. Led by [player_tooltip player_id='172209' first='Karley' last='Pretzer'] (Davenport) and assisted by [player_tooltip player_id='191749' first='Abigail' last='Wutka'], these two are slightly undersized but can pack a mighty punch! Pretzer serves as the senior leader for this team that has been waiting in the wings for quite some time. Her emergence this season has been a real treat for Dakota.   Dakota is coming off of a huge win over HM L'Anse Creuse North this past week.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dewitt</h2>   Record: 17-9-3   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='153677' first='Taya' last='Nordmann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='224600' first='Cali' last='Stevons']   A new team to the field! Dewitt is coming down the stretch with a lot of momentum. A good outing at Beast of the East could solidify them as one of the top dark horses come post season play.   Dominating the net is 6'3 MB [player_tooltip player_id='153677' first='Taya' last='Nordmann'] (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville). Nordmann has been a revelation over the course of the 2023 year. Becoming an impact player for Legacy during the club season, Nordmann is having a standout senior season after missing last fall. She's leading Dewitt in scoring with 3 kills and a block per set! S [player_tooltip player_id='224600' first='Cali' last='Stevons'] (Aquinas) runs this offense with over 7 assists per set and is racking in almost an ace every set. Stevons likes to run a very middle heavy offense with nearly 5 of her 7 assists coming from Nordmann and MB [player_tooltip player_id='523635' first='Sophia' last='DeVlieger'].   Dewitt has yet to play a top ranked opponent since early going in the season. But from that, they managed to split with top dog In Division II, North Branch.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Flushing</h2>   Record: 8-10   Impact Players: [player_tooltip player_id='288965' first='Liliana' last='Smith']   This is a squad that is a bit of an off-year. Despite this, they have not been shy about going toe-to-toe with the best of the best. Flushing has taken part in the Motor City Power Series and have been giving some teams quite the fits. Led by S [player_tooltip player_id='288965' first='Liliana' last='Smith'], Smith not only runs the offense but can become quite offensive herself.   Flushing has a lot of moving pieces and could easily run away with a match or two this weekend.