Visitation Tournament Preview and Players to Watch

Visitation Tournament has always been one of the better early-season tournaments, and the field is stronger this year. Pool B is the toughest of the three pools and will be a battle to win it. The field of athletes is also impressive with tons of top players. Francis Howell Central and Helias are my picks to make the finals, but Westminster, Lindbergh, or Howell North could sneak in and win it. Visitation is where you must be this weekend to see some high-level players competing.   Howell Central takes the title with all the weapons in their arsenal.   Pool A   O'Fallon Christian   Howell Central - Pool Winner   Summit   John Burroughs   Pool B   Ladue   Westminster   Howell North   Lindbergh – Pool Winner   Pool C   Webster Groves   Visitation   Parkway Central   Helias - Pool Winner     Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='119221' first='Chapel' last='Dobbs'] – 6'1" – Outside – Helias   Dobbs is back for her last year and looking to leave a mark at Helias. Tall, strong, and powerful outside that plays solid defense and primary passer will need to carry a heavy load for the Crusaders.   [player_tooltip player_id='220388' first='Giovanna' last='Bonifacio'] – 5'9” – Outside – Visitation   A bouncy six rotation outside for the Vivettes has a fantastic vertical and hang time that allows her to see the defense adjust and hit the holes. She has a cool name, and her playing abilities are just as cool.   [player_tooltip player_id='220387' first='Rachel' last='Ladd'] – 5'7" – Setter – Parkway Central   After being one of the top assist leaders last year in the Saint Louis area, Ladd is back to doing it better this season. A clever setter with excellent hands sees the court well and loves the setter dump.   [player_tooltip player_id='123474' first='Megan' last='Manaj'] – 6'0" – Middle – Lindbergh   The Wash U recruit is one I enjoy watching because of her power. She's a quick middle with a high IQ, sees the court and the block well, and can hit from either pin. I think she would be a dominant right side for the Bears next year.   [player_tooltip player_id='102461' first='Brianna' last='Wortman'] – 6''0" – Outside – Howell North   Wortman has a hammer on the outside and does it all for the Knights. She is a six-rotation outside with a powerful, fast arm swing and an excellent outlet for out-of-system passes from the backcourt.   [player_tooltip player_id='152131' first='Sophia' last='Shaver'] – 5'10" – Setter – Westminster   Shaver has an arsenal she can feed, and whether she is running a 5-1 or 6-2 this season, Shaver is one to watch. A smart setter that knows who to feed to give her team the upper hand.   [player_tooltip player_id='153933' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] – 6'2" – Rightside –  Howell Central   One of the country's top 2025 players, Smith, led her team in kills and blocks last year. She is a fun player because she can do so many things well. A six right rotation side gives her team a monster of a block on the right pin, can hit some anywhere on the court, and hits a monster line shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='123475' first='Kylie' last='Stehlin'] – 6'3" – Middle – Summit   A big aggressive middle with a nice slide, and strong arm, gets to the pins quickly and transitions to make herself available in the middle. Watch for Kylie, as the improvement over the club season is obvious.   [player_tooltip player_id='171208' first='Emma' last='Clark'] – 5'10" – Setter – John Burroughs   Emma had a huge option last year to set up anytime the team was in trouble. She is an aggressive setter who likes to take the second hit and has soft hands and a high volleyball IQ. Watch her as she will be one of the top setters in the tournament.

Visitation Tournament has always been one of the better early-season tournaments, and the field is stronger this year. Pool B is the toughest of the three pools and will be a battle to win it. The field of athletes is also impressive with tons of top players. Francis Howell Central and Helias are my picks to make the finals, but Westminster, Lindbergh, or Howell North could sneak in and win it. Visitation is where you must be this weekend to see some high-level players competing.