Gateway HS Regional Championship Wknd 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another great weekend of volleyball was played across the STL region. This was a fun weekend for me because I got to see teams that I usually don't get to see. After the first weekend of play, my top performer picks for the 18 divisions are below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450243' first='Emilia' last='Bates'] – Middle – Club Four</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first chance to watch Emilia play in person rather than just her highlights. Central Methodist is getting itself a tough middle blocker next season. Emilia is a big, strong middle with great footwork and&nbsp;lethal out of the middle. A great closer to the pins and fast in transition, and could make an immediate impact at the next level, whether she plays middle or moves to the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aly Falconer – Setter – Club Four</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 player is a big-time hitter for the&nbsp;Hannibal Pirates. This weekend, she was the quarterback of Club Four 18s and did a fantastic job. She is athletic, has excellent hands, quick feet, and a&nbsp;high volleyball IQ. Playing up will only make Aly that much more of a complete player, and I look forward to her becoming a big recruit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marissa Falconer – Outside – Club Four</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I'm between games on my court, I turn around to watch one of my former players coach on the next court. I'm watching this little outside hitter completely dismantle her opponent on the outside. After talking to her coach, I found out this big-time baller is a 2028 player also from Hannibal and the little sister of Aly. Marissa is going to be a beast. She already plays well above her age, and not only is she a tough-as-nails hitter, but the kid can pass and play defense with the best of them—a high flyer with a ton of power, already with a significant jump serve. I can not wait to watch her over the next three years develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207295' first='Dakota' last='Wilson'] – Setter/Opposite – Rockwood 18 White</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakota plays the game like a seasoned veteran. It's no problem if you need her to run the offense or bang the ball on the pins. She's got a great skill set, but what I like about her game is her setting. A fantastic setter who puts up a great ball to the pins and runs an excellent tempo offense. Her best sets, in my opinion, are when she runs away from the opposite and pushes it back to her right-side hitter. Work of art!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456618' first='Erica' last='Conger'] – Outside – Rockwood 18 White</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched Erica play several times with Parkway West,&nbsp;but not in the&nbsp;club until this past weekend. Erica has a high contact point, and the snap on the ball puts a trajectory on it, making it hard to pick up. Her line shots are deadly and will be a tremendous asset at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Angelina Rogers – Outside – HP South 18 Premier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Angelina is another player who caught my eye from the referee stand on the opposite court. At one point, she was on fire and slamming balls, lines, and sharp crosscourt, helping her HP team take the set. Angelina is a great passer and can terminate out of the back row just as efficiently as she does from the front row. Illinois College is getting a good six-rotation outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->