Iowa Teams Ready For a Breakthrough To A Potential State Tournament
Photo Cred: Joe Shearer/The Daily Nonpareil Iowa and the IGHSAU are a little bit different (in a great way) in comparison to other states in how they draw regional lines as best they can to have the top eight teams…
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Continue ReadingPhoto Cred: Joe Shearer/The Daily Nonpareil
Iowa and the IGHSAU are a little bit different (in a great way) in comparison to other states in how they draw regional lines as best they can to have the top eight teams not face each other until the state tournament. Does it always work out that way? No, but it often prevents a Western and Unity Christian from facing each other to go to state or an Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial or Dowling vs. Valley matchup outside of Cedar Rapids. What teams will be ready for one of those top eight seeds and who will be ready for a state tournament appearance come November.
Pleasant Valley
PV finished 2018 with a 26-8 record and a Regional Final loss to Linn-Mar. This season, the Spartans could find themselves in a favorable regional with the return of one of the top setters in the Sophomore class in Kora Ruff along with Kaitlyn Morgan (Western Illinois) and Erica Brohm (Purdue-Northwest). This team will be deep as well as really strong in the front line. The Quad Cities is never short on talent and is always a tough road to the state tournament.
West Liberty
The Comets will have strong defense and two really lethal outside hitters in Martha Pace and Macy Daufeldt (Drake). Southeast Iowa is extremely tough no matter how the regions are sliced. This year in 3A, that area will have Davenport Assumption, Tipton, West Liberty, Davis County, and Albia among others. The Comets have the talent, another year of experience, and are accustomed to playing in big matches.
Waverly-Shell Rock
The Go-Hawks are always in the conversation for a state tournament appearance, however West Delaware had something to say about that. With outside hitter, Jaz Westmoreland back along with setter, Maddie Rodenbeck, the potential for a big season is there. The downside? Eastern Iowa is so tough in Class 4A with the likes of Wahlert, Xavier, West Delaware and all the schools around Cedar Rapids and Iowa City – definitely a survive and advance region.
North Scott
The Lancers dropped a tough regional semifinal match to Clinton who eventually lost to Wahlert to get to the state tournament. With four attackers back who had over 100 kills, including Emma Powell who averaged 2.5 kills per set they will have a real chance of putting themselves back in the drivers seat after post season success in basketball and softball.
Council Bluffs St. Albert
Treynor has been the thorn for plenty of teams in Southwest Iowa, St. Albert included. With a regional final loss to Treynor, St. Albert will be returning top kill leader in Allie Petry who tallied over 300 kills, good for 3.72 kills per set.
Clear Creek-Amana
CCA was so close last year to advancing to Cedar Rapids before losing to a very experienced Pella squad. They will be returning Sophomore Calia Clubb who averaged nearly 2.5 kills per set and Hailey Pollock who will be a Junior and one of the top middle blockers in the area. They will also be returning setter Cheyeanne Bunch who had over 800 assists. The Clippers definitely have a chance to do some damage this upcoming season.
Hudson
The Cedar Valley has some of the top small school volleyball programs you’ll find. Tough to separate Dike-New Hartford and Hudson with their proximity and with Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and Osage potentially moving to 2A this season that puts a lot of great teams really close to each other. Hudson will have one of the top middles in the Junior class in Ashlynn Kuhn as well as Sara Klunder and Kylee Sallee getting sets from Junior Sara Hansen.
Red Oak (Title Photo)
They’re back! Five athletes with over 100 kills returning from 2018, led by the Senior duo of Sophie Walker and Chloe Johnson who combined for 700 kills. They will also return their top two setters in Chloe DeVries and Abbey Jones who are only Juniors. This squad had a tough draw with state champion Carroll-Kuemper in their region, but this year could be a chance for the Tigers to get back to Cedar Rapids.
Other New Teams To Have On The Radar
Lamoni – Class 1A
East Union – Class 1A
Underwood – Class 2A
ACGC – Class 2A
Spirit Lake – Class 3A
Gilbert – Class 4A
Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln – Class 5A