Gateway Matchup Tournament Preview
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One of the top tournaments in the Saint Louis area will take place on September 21, 22, and 24th. The pools are set, and the matchups will be something to watch. Two teams who made the state final four are…
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Continue ReadingOne of the top tournaments in the Saint Louis area will take place on September 21, 22, and 24th. The pools are set, and the matchups will be something to watch. Two teams who made the state final four are on the field, and some big-time players will be making plays all over the court. Eureka knocked off Nerinx Hall, and Oakville squeezed past Marquette in the semifinals last year. Eureka would hold off Oakville in the final for a 2-1 win.
Pool A
Oakville – Pool Winner
Visitation Academy – 2nd
Webster Groves – 4th
Parkway West – 3rd
Tess McConnell Tess McConnell 6'0" | MB Oakville | 2023 State MO carries her team to first place in Pool A. Giovanna Bonifacio Giovanna Bonifacio 5'9" | OH Visitation Academy | 2023 State MO does enough damage on the outside to help the Vivettes finish in 2nd.
Pool B
Eureka – Pool Winner
Kirkwood – 3rd
Pattonville – 2nd
Rosati Kain -4th
Eureka rolls this pool with Olivia Hasbrook Olivia Hasbrook 5'9" | DS/L Eureka | 2024 State #56 Nation MO patrolling the backcourt and Abby Holt Abby Holt 5'10" | DS/L Eureka | 2023 State MO taking care of the outside. Pattonville takes second behind the two outside studs in Nelson and Surratt.
Pool C
Nerinx Hall – 2nd
Francis Howell – Pool Winner
Incarnate Word Academy – 3rd
Rockwood Summit -4th
This pool will be a battle with Francis Howell’s Dumm sisters dishing out the assists is just enough to squeak past the Markers.
Pool D
Marquette – 2nd
St. Dominic – Pool Winner
Lutheran South – 4th
Jackson – 3rd
It should be called Pool of Death because any four could win this one. St. Dominic has a more rounded team and should take the pool title. The Mustangs put all the weight on the setter’s shoulders, and she delivers enough to the pins for the 2nd place finish.
Semifinals:
Eureka
Vs.
Francis Howell
Eureka already swept Howell earlier in the season and will do so again with a 2-0 win.
St. Dominic
Vs.
Oakville
The Crusaders have the edge in setting and pin hitters. Oakville has the edge in the middle, but that isn’t enough to knock off St. Dominic as the Crusaders take the semifinal 2-1.
Finals:
Eureka
Vs.
St. Dominic
Eureka is too much to handle for teams in this field. The Wildcats have a stacked lineup at every position with one of the best liberos in the state. Mix in the 6-2 offense they run and have a front-row of 6-footers across the net makes Eureka a tough team to beat. They have ball control, setting, blocking, and hitters everywhere on the court. The first contact is the one aspect of their game that sets them apart. St. Dominic also has talent all over the court, but ball control is an area that Eureka dominates. Eureka behind Rylie Cepicky Rylie Cepicky 6'0" | OH Eureka | 2024 State MO , Mia Berg Mia Berg 6'1" | OH Eureka | 2023 State MO , Jenna Cubbage Jenna Cubbage 5'11" | MB Eureka | 2025 State MO , Abby Holt Abby Holt 5'10" | DS/L Eureka | 2023 State MO , and Paige Klipsch is more than the Crusaders can handle. Eureka wins in a sweep.