Marian rolls to Beast of the East championship
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You could just call them the Marian Beasts. For anyone that ran into Marian in Saturday’s Beast of the East, that’s certainly what it had to feel like. Top-ranked Marian left no question as to who was the Beast of…
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Continue ReadingYou could just call them the Marian Beasts.
For anyone that ran into Marian in Saturday’s Beast of the East, that’s certainly what it had to feel like.
Top-ranked Marian left no question as to who was the Beast of the field as they went 7-0 on the day without dropping a set while claiming the championship.
In the final, Marian bested Grand Rapids Christian (No. 2 D2) by scores of 25-20, 25-9.
“I think all around, we did very well in every position,” Marian coach Mayssa Cook said of the day. “We have walked away from a lot of matches wishing we did a little something better, but today I think it was really solid all around as a team. Everyone really came together.”
Ava Brizard with the kill to capture the Beast of the East title for Marian pic.twitter.com/jDpst5bbaI
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 16, 2021
Through 14 sets, the Mustangs only allowed opponents to get to 20 or more three times throughout the day. Rockford (No. 2 D1) gave Marian its toughest challenge of the day in the semifinals. The Rams held some leads, but ultimately fell 25-23, 25-20.
Marian was able to push a pace that opponents just couldn’t match. Their many offensive weapons, led by Miss Volleyball finalist Ava Brizard Ava Brizard 6'0" | OH Marian | 2022 State #16 Nation MI (N.C. State) and Sarah Sylvester Sarah Sylvester 6'3" | MB Marian | 2022 State #126 Nation MI (TCU) were well spread out by setter Ava Sarafa Ava Sarafa 6'0" | S Marian | 2023 State #14 Nation MI (Kentucky).
Sarah Sylvester of @marianathletics with a block to open a quarterfinal match with Forest Hills Northern pic.twitter.com/iRsrOLboqC
— Prep Dig Michigan (@PrepDigMI) October 16, 2021
Defensively, Lauren Heming Lauren Heming 5'6" | DS/L Marian | 2023 State MI played an outstanding tournament to keep the offense running, while senior middle Janiah Jones Janiah Jones 6'1" | MB Marian | 2022 State MI was also a bright spot throughout the day. Her connection with Sarafa often led to highlight-reel finishes.
“(Jones) was capable of this last year, but she just needed time to get comfortable with the new team. Pound-for-pound in skill and athleticism, she rivals any middle in the state,” Cook said. “I truly believe we have two of the top middles in the state.”
Grand Rapids Christian still had a great day, besting Mercy (No. 9 in D1) in the semifinals 25-17, 25-13. The Eagles also earned bracket wins over Bloomfield Hills and Lakeland.
Alyssa DeVries of @GRCvolleyball with an ace to end the first set with Bloomfield Hills pic.twitter.com/7WfYlRhhzb
— Prep Dig Michigan (@PrepDigMI) October 16, 2021
Mercy handed Notre Dame Prep (No. 1 D2) its first loss of the season in a three-set battle in the bracket quarterfinals. NDP setter/outside Alyssa Borellis Alyssa Borellis 5'11" | S Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State #33 Nation MI dislocated her thumb earlier in the day, but taped it up and fought through the pain to contribute what she could for the Irish, but was unable to set.
In a third set with Notre Dame Prep, @mercy_vball comes though the with a big point on a long rally pic.twitter.com/Wo9qlTN2Rr
— Prep Dig Michigan (@PrepDigMI) October 16, 2021
Teams will now start to polish up their play as they look toward the start of the postseason on Nov. 1.
Beast of the East 2021 Results
Pool Play
Pool A: 1. Notre Dame Prep, 2. Byron Center, 3. Portage Central, 4. Allen Park
Pool B: 1. Marian, 2. Mattawan, 3. Lowell, 4. L’Anse Creuse North
Pool C: 1. Rockford, 2. Lakeland, 3. Flushing, 4. Eisenhower
Pool D: 1. Grand Rapids Christian, 2. Coopersville, 3. Oxford, 4. GP South
Pool E: 1. Dakota, 2. Troy, 3. Cadillac, 4. Grand Haven
Pool F: 1. Lakewood, 2. Bloomfield Hills, 3. TC Central, 4. Birch Run
Pool G: 1. FH Northern, 2. SMCC, 3. Stoney Creek, 4. Marshall
Pool H: 1. Mercy, 2. Saline, 3. WL Northern, 4. Grand Blanc
Gold Bracket First Round
Notre Dame Prep def. Mattawan
Mercy def. SMCC
Bloomfield Hills def. Dakota
GR Christian def. Lakeland
Rockford def. Coopersville
Lakewood def. Troy
FH Northern def. Saline
Marian def. Byron Center
Gold Bracket Quarterfinals
Mercy def. Notre Dame Prep
GR Christian def. Bloomfield Hills
Rockford def. Lakewood
Marian def. FH Northern
Gold Bracket Semifinals
Marian def. Rockford 25-23, 25-20
GR Christian def. Mercy 25-17, 25-13
Gold Bracket Finals
Marian def. GR Christian 25-20, 25-9
Silver Bracket Final
Flushing def. Cadillac
Bronze Bracket Final
Eisenhower def. Grand Blanc