Ottawa-Kent Conference Stands Out at Beast of the East 2023

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow <strong>@lshotvb </strong>on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><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.</em> (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>The Beast of the East has stormed through Michigan. One of the most hotly anticipated tournaments of the year, only the best of the best show up.</p>   <p>This year's tournament was dominated once more by the Marian Mustangs, winning their 3rd title in four years. Meanwhile, the West side of the state showed up and showed OUT! Jenison found themselves in the championship, while Rockford took down the top dog in Division 1.</p>   <p>Not only was the illusive tournament riddled with west side talent, but the Ottawa-Kent Conference had fingerprints all throughout the event. Not only did they send six squads to compete, but four of them made the gold bracket!</p>   <p>Let's take a look at some of the top performers at the Beast of the East from the OKC!</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/Beast-2023-24.jpg?w=741" alt="" class="wp-image-467684" style="aspect-ratio:0.7243401759530792;width:193px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jenison</h2>   <p>Jenison would ultimately reign supreme on the day amongst the OK Conference contenders. 6-1 on the day and a Runner-Up finish, this is a squad coming into the post-season with a lot of fire behind them. OH [player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'] was honored with All-Tournament team nods. Johnson's six rotation grit was critical in the long day's work. A steady passer and top notch scorer, Johnson showed her veteran leadership amongst a group of young guns. </p>   <p>Alongside Johnson, OH [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'] and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] rounded out the offensive artillery for the Wildcats. The two not only brought the heat, but the also put out the fire in the back court. Like Johnson, these two pins don't step off the court. The trio combined for 167 kills on the day. </p>   <p>Defensively, MB Lydia Uganski and L [player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'] held it down quite well. Uganski shut down 12 blocks on the day, averaging nearly a block per set. Paddock brought in over 40 digs in the back court. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockford</h2>   <p>Rockford had themselves quite the rollercoaster of the day. But it was quite an entertaining one. After running into Saline in pool play to go second seed in the pool, Rockford would meet up with a familiar face in Grand Haven. Down 0-8 in the 3rd set, it wasn't looking to be the Rams' day. After an incredible comeback, Rockford narrowly escaped to the next round, 18-16! Then, the highlight of the day, sweeping the unanimous No. 1 team in Division I all season long, Northville, in the quarter finals. </p>   <p>The Rams were led by their own All-Tournament team honoree, OH [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']! Hosford was the special sauce to the Rockford recipe last weekend. This included big time performances in both the Grand Haven and Northville match-ups. Alongside Hosford, [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226943' first='Sienna' last='Wolfe'] were right there throwing blows opponent's way.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_6369.jpg?w=939" alt="" class="wp-image-450379" style="aspect-ratio:0.9178885630498533;width:191px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Rockford went on to go 4-2 on the day, losing out to OK foe, Jenison in the semifinals. A loss that the Rams would go on to avenge the following week in a 5 set thriller.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Haven</h2>   <p>This young Buccaneer team found themselves atop the crop leaving pool play. With a 3-set winner over SMCC in the final match, Grand Haven had themselves set up for another match-up versus OK opponent, Rockford. In familiar fashion, this was another match that'd go the distance. This the second straight match GH would go to the tie-breaker, but this time, not in favor of the Bucs.</p>   <p>Despite the early bow out of the tournament, this was a great showing for an improving GH team. Young gun, [player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] led the way offensively with 40 kills on the day. 15 of those coming in the thriller with SMCC. Right alongside her, veteran [player_tooltip player_id='110333' first='Izzy' last='Whittaker'] brought down 30 of her own. The two have been a great compliment to each other all throughout the season,, and especially last weekend. </p>   <p>Defensively, L [player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka'] (Northern Michigan) holds it down with the best of them. 50 digs and nearly 10 aces to hold the Bucs down defensively. Smaka had some really nice performances in the big matches with Rockford and SMCC, where she logged over half of her day's total in digs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grandville </h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/Beast-2023-23-crop-3737x2454-1697461795.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-468088" style="aspect-ratio:1.5238095238095237;width:255px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood']</figcaption></figure>   <p>It was an early day for the Bulldogs, but nevertheless, there were still highlight performances. Despite going 1-3 on the day, S [player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood'] (Virginia) remains to be the heart and soul to this squad. Even in the toughest of environments, against the best teams, Dood does it all. On top of running the offense, the All-Tournament team member logged 15 kills, 20+ digs and averaged over a block per set. There's not much that Dood cannot do.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Rapids Christian </h2>   <p>Grand Rapids Christian was yet ANOTHER OK conference team to emerge to the gold bracket at this year's Beast of the East. Not without a fight though. Pool C turned out to be one of the toughest pools to shape up this year. By the final match, it came down to set wins of which two teams would break into gold. After losing a heartbreaker to Utica Eisenhower to kick off pool play, GRC marched on to take the next two matches to secure themselves a place. </p>   <p>Freshman phenom, [player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'], reigned supreme on the day with an impressive 35 kill outing. L [player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'] was the stalwart defensively with 45 digs. In the losing effort against Ike, Peal put up 14 in the 3-setter. </p>   <p>GRC would go on to topple Dakota in the opening round in straight sets before eventually falling to Jenison in a 3-set brawl. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Coopersville</h2>   <p>Coopersville had a tough go about things on Saturday with their pool. Not only would they fall to the No. 1 team in Division I, but they'd get knocked out of gold contention by the No. 3 team in Division III, Plymouth Christian.</p>   <p>With this aside, they'd take down Stoney Creek to make the silver bracket. Coopersville would be led by Kirstyn Lothschultz throughout the day as the go-to arm. </p>