Borgia Tournament Preview and Players to Watch

The Borgia Tournament never disappoints, and this year will be no different. Two teams return that played at the State Championships last year in Westminster Christian and St. Dominic. Then you add Howell Central, Lutheran South, Timberland, Borgia, Parkway West, and seven of the eight teams that played in the state playoffs in the last two years. Top two in each pool advance to the gold bracket for crossover matches. Look for St. Dominic to win the gold pool and Westminster to take the Blue Pool.     Gold Pool   St. Dominic (2-1) – Pool Winner   Howell Central (5-1-1) - Runner-up   Lutheran South (1-0)   Washington (2-2)   Blue Pool   Westminster (8-0) – Pool Winner   Timberland (2-0) - Runner -up   Borgia (1-2)   Parkway West (0-2)     Semifinals:   St. Dominic 2-0 win over Timberland   Westminster 2-1 win over Howell Central   Finals:   Westminster 2-1 over St. Dominic     Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='174406' first='Brytn' last='Lyon'] – 6'1” – Setter – St. Dominic   The player I'm most excited to watch play is Lyon. After a successful club season, she will be looked upon to run a potent offense for the Crusaders.   La [player_tooltip player_id='150050' first='Shae' last='Pearson'] – 6'2" – Outside – Howell Central   A force on the outside that can bounce the ball. She plays solid defense, but her physicality at the net is impressive.   Lilian Paul – 6'1" – Outside – Lutheran South   Lillian keeps getting taller and stronger; her volleyball IQ is off the charts. The aspect of her game I like the most is her soft hands. She helps run a 6-2 and provides a powerful swing on the outside.   Jessie Tovo – 5'10" – Outside – Washington   Tovo is the leading player returning for the BlueJays this year and should be a factor out of the middle.   [player_tooltip player_id='152147' first='Avery' last='Stanfill'] – 5'8" – Libero – Westminster Christian   She probably doesn't get the spotlight that her big hitters get, but Stanfill is the reason why Westminster is so good. Intelligent and savvy libero that allows her big guns to rack up all those kills.   [player_tooltip player_id='221711' first='Zoey' last='Mitchell'] – 5'9" – Setter/Outside – Timberland   The team leader and quarterback for the Wolves is a stat stuffer. Will lead the team in assists and kills and starts the team off with a tough line drive jump float.   [player_tooltip player_id='170834' first='Madi' last='Ulrich'] – 5'11” – Outside – Borgia   Ulrich was the bright spot for the Knights in last week's jamboree. Whatever pin she hits from, she provides power and a big block.   [player_tooltip player_id='221712' first='Elise' last='Frost'] – 6'0" – Middle – Parkway West   Frost returns for her senior year with high hopes of getting the Longhorns back into the playoffs. Lead the team in kills and blocks last year and will have a repeat performance this year.

The Borgia Tournament never disappoints, and this year will be no different. Two teams return that played at the State Championships last year in Westminster Christian and St. Dominic. Then you add Howell Central, Lutheran South, Timberland, Borgia, Parkway West, and seven of the eight teams that played in the state playoffs in the last two years. Top two in each pool advance to the gold bracket for crossover matches. Look for St. Dominic to win the gold pool and Westminster to take the Blue Pool.