Reunions, Top Five Matchups Highlight The Weekend
The Petersen Bowl in Texas (Photo: Baylee and Sydney Petersen as prep players at Dike-New Hartford – cred: wcfcourier) How can you not be drawn to the first family of Iowa volleyball with UNI Head Coach, Bobbi Petersen getting a…
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Continue ReadingThe Petersen Bowl in Texas (Photo: Baylee and Sydney Petersen as prep players at Dike-New Hartford – cred: wcfcourier)
How can you not be drawn to the first family of Iowa volleyball with UNI Head Coach, Bobbi Petersen getting a chance to coach against her daughter, Sydney, the Sophomore libero for Texas while her other daughter and Sydney’s twin will be on the court for UNI. Sydney and Baylee won three state titles for Dike-New Hartford and played with each other for Club Iowa (CIA). The two will now be opponents. A special moment for all involved. Some kids go to daycare after school while these two were raised in a gym, growing up with a front-row seat to one of the top programs in the country.
Rocket Reunion
There will be plenty of players with ties to the Iowa Rockets this weekend competing in Grinnell. West Liberty, ranked #5 in Class 3A, features plenty of athletes from the Iowa Rockets volleyball club which would include their two outside hitters in Martha Pace and Macy Daufeldt (Drake). Clear Creek-Amana is ranked #8 in Class 4A and will be led by Western Illinois recruit, Hailey Pollack and outside hitter Calia Clubb, who was a teammate of Macy Daufeldt where they placed 3rd at USA Nationals in the 15 National Division. Iowa Valley has an Iowa Rocket athlete as well in Taylor Smith who can set or swing. In 2018, she had over 300 kills for Iowa Valley. This might be a crash course for West Liberty and CCA to meet with a championship at stake.
East Meets West (and Central) at Centennial Early Bird
From Davenport and Clinton to Sioux City and Council Bluffs, teams from across the state will be coming to the Ankeny Centennial Early Bird where nine teams ranked in the top 15 of their classes will be battling it out in a 16 team tournaments. Here are some early pool play match ups that could be potential big time tournament matchups come post season or even the state tournament.
#3 Ankeny vs. #4 West Des Moines Valley
Ankeny already started their season with a five-set battle with a win over #5 Waukee. They will be in for another battle with Valley. Both teams have the experience, athleticism, and depth where multiple positions can contribute. The setting matchup will be very exciting. Phyona Schrader is one of the top setters in the state for Ankeny. The Notre Dame commit can dish, but also be extremely offensive as well. Olivia Curry of Valley committed to Omaha and she can really swing from the right side as well. This will be interesting to see how Valley utilizes Curry because she is so versatile.
#1 Cedar Falls vs. #2 West Des Moines Dowling
Cedar Falls has been one of the top teams in the state the past three years with two appearances in the state title match, taking home the championship in 2017. Dowling is going to be really sound defensively and will have plenty of depth at multiple positions. Will the Maroons defense be enough to get in system and run their offensive against the big block against the Tigers. CF lost two sets…SETS, all of last year before the state championship match where it fell to Centennial 3-0.