St. Francis Borgia Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Gold Pool</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran South – 3^rd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westminster – 1^st</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington – 4^th</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkway West – 2^nd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a pretty balanced pool with all four teams having multiple losses on the season. Westminster plays four talented freshmen and is led by 2025 players Emery Johnston and [player_tooltip player_id='219782' first='Emma' last='Woll']. Parkway West is off to a slow start but will find its footing thanks to [player_tooltip player_id='456618' first='Erica' last='Conger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='222058' first='Katherine' last='Byergo'] and finish 2^nd in the Gold Pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Blue Pool</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ste. Genevieve – 4^th</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Borgia – 2^nd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union – 3^rd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Timberland – 1^st</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Timberland is the top team in this pool and should coast to 1^st. With [player_tooltip player_id='365820' first='Kayla' last='Robertson'], [player_tooltip player_id='174405' first='Abby' last='Chall'], and [player_tooltip player_id='207713' first='Kennedy' last='Draggs'] on the attack are more than the opponents can handle. Plus, Timberland has one of the best 2025 setters in [player_tooltip player_id='222076' first='Abigail' last='Schoene'] gives the Wolves the advantage to win this year's event. Borgia started the year off rough with a trashing from Cor Jesu but since have won the last three. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='544669' first='Gabby' last='Schwoeppe'] is leading the Knights in kills and assists, while [player_tooltip player_id='207296' first='Sophia' last='Hurst'] and [player_tooltip player_id='218556' first='Joanna' last='Gillen'] are patrolling the middle. Borgia should have enough in the tank to finish 2^nd in the pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timberland</strong> vs. Parkway West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='222076' first='Abigail' last='Schoene'] runs the show and helps her big hitters find the space to put the ball down in the semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id='456731' first='Campbell' last='Hull'] and Tommie Roberts anchor the defense and give Timberland the sweep to advance to the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Borgia</strong> vs. Westminster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A much more balanced semifinals as both teams are stacked with youth attacking the ball. Giving the edge to Borgia has [player_tooltip player_id='196154' first='Josie' last='Charboneau'] settle the Knights' passing and defense and get strong play from [player_tooltip player_id='207298' first='Nina' last='Klak'] and Maura Derner on the pins to pull out the 3-setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timberland</strong> vs. Borgia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all-Blue Pool final will take place between the Wolves and Knights. [player_tooltip player_id='365820' first='Kayla' last='Robertson'], [player_tooltip player_id='174405' first='Abby' last='Chall'], [player_tooltip player_id='207713' first='Kennedy' last='Draggs'], and [player_tooltip player_id='222076' first='Abigail' last='Schoene'] are more than the Knights can stop and Timberland takes the final in a 2-0 sweep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->