Asics Challenge Brackets unfold – Palos Courts Breakdown
It’s official, one of the best tournaments of year in Illinois returns as the Asics Challenge brings the best of the best from across the nation to take on some of the best teams from Illinois. Action starts Friday night…
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Continue ReadingIt’s official, one of the best tournaments of year in Illinois returns as the Asics Challenge brings the best of the best from across the nation to take on some of the best teams from Illinois. Action starts Friday night at Palos Courts in Palos Hills, IL with five pools of three teams each playing there. The other nine teams take court at host Mother McAuley High School. Lets look at the brackets and get a feel for who plays who. Matches play at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm. Saturday brackets will be elimination brackets, Gold Silver and Bronze.This article displays what Palos Courts has to offer. Later this week look for the article on “Players to Watch at Palos Courts”.
Palos Hills Brackets
Pool 1 Court 1
Assumption (KY) 6pm St. Francis vs. Marian Catholic
St. Francis (IL) 7pm Assumption vs. Marian Catholic
Marian Catholic (IL) 8pm Assumption vs. St. Francis
If courts and pools hold firm, Assumption is your tournament number 1 seed. You don’t have the expectation of traveling across multiple state lines to lose or not get into the gold bracket. The match to watch is at 6pm with local teams competing. The winner of St. Francis/Marian Catholic should get into the Silver bracket. Assumption should walk through this pool into the Gold Division.
Pool 2 Court 2
Marist (IL) 6pm Divine Savior HA vs. Joliet Catholic
Divine Savior HA (WI) 7pm Marist vs. Joliet Catholic
Joliet Catholic (IL) 8pm Marist vs. Divine Savior HA
This bracket should be a little closer as Joliet Catholic should finish third, but watch at the top who comes out ahead. Marist has been playing well but not solid every match. Their consistency in play is lacking. Divine Savior could be a real test early on for Marist.
Pool 4 Court 3
Skutt (NE) 6pm Nazareth vs. St. Charles East
Nazareth (IL) 7pm Skutt vs. St. Charles East
St. Charles East (IL) 8pm Skutt vs. Nazareth
Out of Nebraska comes one of the best teams in the field. Skutt has something to prove here. Nebraska is known for their volleyball and this team is no exception. Nazareth has been playing some inspired ball as of late. It should be a fun much against Skutt. St. Charles East may be out matched in this pool.
Pool 5 Court 4
Minooka (IL) 6pm Kettle Moraine vs. Cary Grove
Kettle Moraine (WI) 7pm Skutt vs. Cary Grove
Cary Grove (IL) 8pm Skutt vs. Kettle Moraine
This is the “All Fun Names To Say” bracket as all three teams have names that are “fun to say”. Seriously, this is the bracket I am the least familiar with. From my days in Wisconsin, you could never count Kettle Moraine out. They play a tough game, every night. Minooka is the team to beat as the top seed in this bracket. Cary Grove could surprise people.
Pool 8 Court 6
Xavier (IA) 6pm Henry Clay vs. Catholic Memorial
Henry Clay (KY) 7pm Xavier vs. Catholic Memorial
Catholic Memorial (WI) 8pm Xavier vs. Henry Clay
This could be the most even bracket in the gym. When it comes time for the Wisconsin State tournament, Catholic Memorial is usually there. This will be a good test of where they stand heading into the second half of the season. Look for Xavier and Henry Clay battle it out in a three set match that could easily be the last match of the night. Xavier in three.