St. Francis Borgia Volleyball Tournament Preview

<p>The Borgia tournament has always been a tough tournament year in and year out. With the defending tourney champs and Class 3 state champions hosting this event, you should expect some battles.  Add in the likes of traditional power Willard, the team that swept Borgia to start the season St. Dominic, and this should be one to watch. I’ll preview the teams and the players that will make this tournament one to watch. </p> <p>Gold Pool</p> <p>St. Dominic</p> <p>The Crusaders started the year smoking hot and took the defending Class 3 State Champions Borgia on a ride at home with a 3-0 sweep.  St Dominic kept Borgia out their heels all night with a relentless attack from the outside hitters Breanna Schriemann and Audrey Weber. [player_tooltip player_id="102453" first="Rachel" last="Schipper"] kept sending the ball out to the two-headed monster on the outside, and Borgia had no answer. </p> <p>Timberland</p> <p>Wolves are new to the event this year and come off last year with a 21-9-3 record. [player_tooltip player_id="41811" first="Carly" last="Glendinning"] returns for her junior year, and her 223 kills along with the 6-2 offense of Zoey Mitchell and Abby Peters.</p> <p>Washington</p> <p>The crosstown rival to Borgia returns this year and led by setter Jackie Oetterer and her 547 assists from last year. Offensively the Bluejays are led by Emma Duncan, Abby Redd, Ingrid Figas, and Hallie Giesike. </p> <p>Francis Howell North</p> <p>Knights are returning two of the top four kill leaders from last year.  With senior Cate Hahn and Bri Wortman back as seniors and sophomore respectfully, these two will look to guide the Knights to above .500 finish this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Blue Pool</p> <p>St. Francis Borgia</p> <p>Returning the offense that won the Class 3 state title but having to replace the setter and libero will be critical. Lost the season opener to St. Dominic in a sweep was a surprise but was without the number one middle in Kaitlyn Patke. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="41802" first="Ella" last="Brinkman"]n, Caroline Glastetter, and Lily Brown to carry the offensive load for the Knights. </p> <p>Willard</p> <p>The Tigers should come in undefeated on the year and look for the Knights and Tigers to lock up to see who will be first in the Blue Pool.  [player_tooltip player_id="41751" first="Maddy" last="Bushnell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="41750" first="Payton" last="Van Veen"] are the norms for Willard. Add in Grace Hancock, Lael Brandon, and Paige Durham, and the Tigers have a solid team. Look for Willard to leave with another tourney title.</p> <p>Francis Howell Central</p> <p>Surprise team at the Class 4 state tournament.  This team did lose a big chunk of offense from last year.  Return [player_tooltip player_id="41768" first="Elexus" last="Pearson"] and Kirsten Steinmeyer.  Look to have a better Borgia tourney than last season.</p> <p>Troy</p> <p>New to the Borgia tournament this year. Off to a 2-1 start on the year led by senior Allison Garrett and Kylie Linson.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Look for this tournament to come down to St. Dominic and Timberland from the Gold Pool and Willard and Borgia in the Blue Pool.  The semifinals will have Borgia versus St. Dominic and Willard versus Timberland. I’ll take Willard over St. Dominic for the tournament title, and Willard should walk out of Borgia with a 13-0 record.</p>