Big Upsets Leads To Wide Open Class 4A Field
It’s so cliche, but anything can happen come tournament time. Western Dubuque made the biggest upset of the postseason by defeating defending three-time state champion Dubuque Wahlert. A trio of Sophomores led the way for the Bobcats with Maddie Harris…
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Continue ReadingIt’s so cliche, but anything can happen come tournament time. Western Dubuque made the biggest upset of the postseason by defeating defending three-time state champion Dubuque Wahlert. A trio of Sophomores led the way for the Bobcats with Maddie Harris collecting 16 kills and Meredith Bahl with 15 kills. Sophomore setter, Madison Maahs racked up 38 assists while Freshman libero Ella Meyer had 22 digs. Three Sophomores and a Freshman leading the way. Western Dubuque has sent a strong message to the rest of the state for what is to come not only the rest of this season, but what is to come the next couple years. Despite being only miles apart, this was the first time that Western Dubuque played Wahlert.
With the win for the Bobcats, it also was the end of the well-decorated career of Aliyah Carter of Dubuque Wahlert. Carter has been dazzling the state with big swings, booming kills, and a flare of a smile that has brought her state titles in volleyball as a Sophomore and Junior as well as state titles in the long jump the past two seasons. Carter will take her talents to Kansas State to play volleyball next fall.
Who is the next opponent for Western Dubuque? Another team with upsets on their mind in Clinton. The River Queens are led by Brooke Mulholland, the recent Kirkwood commit who can do it all. A four set victory over Clear Creek-Amana sends Clinton to the regional final against Western Dubuque at Western Dubuque with a state tournament berth on the line.
Charles City came into the tournament with a 17-25 record and narrowly snuck by Mason City with a 3-2 win to start regional play. They would hit the road to take on Center Point-Urbana, a ranked Class 4A squad with plenty of athleticism and experience. After dropping the first set 25-23 it was all Comets the rest of the way, winning the match in four and advancing to the regional final. They will take on West Delaware in a Regional Final.
There will be a new state champion in Class 4A, and here are a few teams with their eyes still on the prize.
Cedar Rapids Xavier – The target is officially on their back. The defending Class 4A runner-up has a power-packed line-up with Eve Magill, Elyse Winters, and Katy Garrison all from the Junior class.
West Delaware – Macey Kleitsch is the quarterback of the team and might just be the best setter in Class 4A. She runs the middles extremely well and has a well-balanced attack to set to.
Sergeant Bluff-Luton – Remember that team from over in Western Iowa? Yes, they are still in the hunt and hungry to keep advancing. St. Cloud State commit, Kenzie Foley is one of the top pin hitters in the state.
Marion (Title Photo) – This team can be a big wildcard, with a big win over Dowling a couple of weeks ago, the Indians showed how their length and versatility can really give a team fits.