Bracket Breakdown: Everyone Chasing Wolfpack in 3A
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The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released regional volleyball pairings on Wednesday. Western Christian, last year’s 2A champion, heads into the postseason as the 3A favorite with some historically strong programs looking to take down the Wolfpack. Region 1…
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Continue ReadingThe Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released regional volleyball pairings on Wednesday. Western Christian, last year’s 2A champion, heads into the postseason as the 3A favorite with some historically strong programs looking to take down the Wolfpack.
Region 1
Top Seed: Western Christian
Others: Sheldon, West Lyon, Spirit Lake, Estherville Lincoln Central, Algona, Forest City, Garner Hayfield Ventura
Players to Watch: Shayna Van Dyken, Western; Maggie Van Schepen Maggie Van Schepen S Western Christian | 2026 State IA , Western; Keana Wynja, Western; Anna Vollink, Sheldon; Fran Travis, Spirit Lake; Jordyn Aeschliman, West Lyon; Najolie Price Najolie Price 6'1" | MB Algona | 2024 State IA , Algona; Lincoln Central; Gretta Gouge; Garner Hayfield Ventura; Jalyn Hovenga, Forest City.
Outlook: Western Christian is the state’s all-time leader in state tournament appearances with 40 and holds the longest active streak of consecutive trips to state, reaching it in each of the last 22 seasons. The Wolpack’s 17 state titles ranks second all-time to Dubuque Wahlert (20). They play a lot of Nebraska and South Dakota schools, but do own a win in ’23 against 5A No. 2 Ankeny Centennial.
Region 2
Top Seed: Cherokee Washington
Others: Eagle Grove, Southeast Valley, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, MOC-Floyd Valley, Okoboji, OABCIG, Unity Christian
Players to Watch: Ava Anderson, Cherokee; Jada Timmerman Jada Timmerman 6'0" | MB Cherokee | 2024 State IA , Cherokee; Laney Wolfswinkel Laney Wolfswinkel 5'8" | OH Cherokee | 2025 State IA , Cherokee; Tierney Huss Tierney Huss S MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA , MOC-FV; Maya Immeker, MOC-FV; Addi Hindt; Southeast Valley; Indy Johnson Indy Johnson MB Clarion-Goldfield-Dows | 2025 State IA , Clarion-Goldfield-Dows; Alexa Christoffels, Okoboji; Jadyn Hofmeyer Jadyn Hofmeyer 5'11" | MB Unity Christian | 2025 State IA , Unity Christian; Sammie Holz, Unity Christian; Olivia Schroeder, OABCIG; Josilynn Pritchard, OABCIG.
Outlook: Cherokee is ranked No. 5 in 3A (Oct. 4) with victories against Bishop Heelan (4A No. 10), Charles City (4A No. 15) and Sioux City East (5A No. 13). It would be making its first trip to state. MOC Floyd Valley is rated 15th in 3A with a win against Sioux City East on its resume. The Dutchmen are seeking their first appearance at state since ’18.
Region 3
Top Seed: Des Moines Christian
Others: Atlantic, Van Meter, Greene County, Red Oak, Harlan, Clarke, Clarinda
Players to Watch: Gabby Lombardi Gabby Lombardi 5'11" | RS Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA , DM Christian; Hadley Hardersen Hadley Hardersen 5'11" | S Des Moines Christian | 2025 State IA , DM Christian; Finley Schelhaas Finley Schelhaas 5'6" | DS/L Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA , DM Christian; Paytn Harter, Atlantic; Violet Reedy, Greene County; Violet Reedy, Greene County; Teya Speltz, Van Meter; Haedyn Rebelsky, Van Meter; Macy Mueller, Harlan; Marley Gray, Red Oak; Merced Ramirez, Red Oak; Jerzee Knight, Clarinda; Addison Wagoner, Clarinda; Victoria Henry, Clarke; Alissa Henry, Clarke.
Outlook: No. 3 Des Moines Christian is shooting for its third consecutive state tournament bid. The Lions own a 3-0 record against teams in this region having knocked off Harlan twice along with Van Meter. Red Oak has two victories against Harlan this season.
Region 4
Top Seed: New Hampton
Others: Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Osage, Clear Lake, Dubuque Wahlert, Waukon, Crestwood, North Fayette Valley
Players to Watch: Marissa Cahoy Marissa Cahoy 6'0" | MB New Hampton | 2024 State IA , New Hampton; Hailee Pesek Hailee Pesek 5'8" | RS New Hampton | 2024 State IA , New Hampton; Paige Steinlage, New Hampton; Olivia Donovan Olivia Donovan 5'10" | S Wahlert-Dubuque | 2025 State IA , Wahlert; Audrey Tschiggfrie Audrey Tschiggfrie 5'8" | OH Dubuque Wahlert | 2025 IA , Wahlert; Kaylee Walter, Wahlert; Olivia Johnson, Crrestwood; Lily Troendle, Crestwood; Jenna Scharper, Osage; Taylor Klobassa, Osage; Xada Johnson Xada Johnson 6'0" | OH Clear Lake | 2024 State IA , Clear Lake; Alivia Paine, Clear Lake; Ella Sieck, North Fayette Valley; Elle Wilkins, Waukon; Aubryee Showalter, Hampton-Dumont-CAL.
Outlook: Sixth-ranked New Hampton seeks its fourth trip to the state tournament and the first bid since ’18. It claims two victories against both Charles City (4A No. 15) and Sumner-Fredericksburg (2A No. 6) and is 4-0 against teams in this region. No. 12 Wahlert looks like the biggest roadblock for New Hampton here. The Golden Eagles have the most state championships (20) in Iowa history and a win against Iowa City Liberty (5A No. 10) this season.
Region 5
Top Seed: Union Community
Others: Iowa Falls-Alden, Roland-Story, Independence, West Delaware, Vinton-Shellsburg, Monticello, Oelwein
Players to Watch: Gracie Klima, Union; Dena Robb, Union; Avery Knoop Avery Knoop S Union | 2025 State IA , Union; Kirstyn Kolbet, West Delaware; Brooke Krogmann Brooke Krogmann OH West Delaware | 2025 State IA , West Delaware; Gracie Lynch, West Delaware; Ashlyn Murray, Vinton-Shellsburg; Jayden Kuper Jayden Kuper 5'10" | RS Monticello | 2025 State IA , Monticello; Mya Hansen, Monticello; Brookelyn Jondle, Roland-Story; Kamryn Lande, Roland-Story; Marie Gorman, Independence; Kinzie See, Oelwein; Ella Sharar, Iowa Falls-Alden.
Outlook: No. 7 Union is looking to clinch its second consecutive state tournament berth and its ninth bid since ’10. The Knights own wins against fellow Region 5 teams Oelwein, West Delaware, Independence and Iowa Falls-Alden. No. 10 West Delaware is trying to reach Coralville after seeing its streak of four appearances in a row end last season. The Hawks have victories against Solon (3A No. 11) and Grundy Center (2A No. 3) in ’23.
Region 6
Top Seed: Mid-Prairie
Others: Seydel, PCM, Chariton, West Marshall, Center Point-Urbana, Albia, Centerville
Players to Watch: Jovi Evans Jovi Evans 5'6" | DS/L Mid Prairie | 2026 State IA , Mid-Prairie; Dakota Mitchell Dakota Mitchell 5'3" | DS/L Mid Prairie | 2025 State IA , Mid-Prairie; Harper Pacha Harper Pacha 5'11" | OH Mid-Prairie | 2026 State IA , Mid-Prairie; Sydney Maue Sydney Maue RS Mount Vernon | 2025 State IA , Center Point-Urbana; Logan Keller Logan Keller 5'10" | S Center Point Urbana | 2025 State IA , Center Point-Urbana; Addy Tupa, Center Point-Urbana; Chloe DeMoss, Albia; Avery Halstead, Albia; Rebecca DeVries, PCM; Tori Lindsay, PCM; Addie McGee, Chariton; Matty Kovacevich, Centerville; Reese Jensen, West Marshall.
Outlook: This eighth-ranked Mid-Prairie team would join Golden Hawk squads from ’96 and ’04 has the only ones to reach the state tournament. They own a victory against Ankeny (5A No. 8) this season but would be meeting all of the other teams in this region for the first time. Like Mid-Prairie, No. 9 Center Point-Urbana also would be at state for the third time (’98, ’15) in program history if it wins Region 6. The Stormin’ Pointers own impressive wins against West Delaware, Wahlert, Davenport Assumption (3A No. 4), Dubuque Hempstead (5A No. 13) and Marion (4A No. 7).
Region 7
Top Seed: Mount Vernon
Others: Williamsburg, Benton, South Tama, Anamosa, Camanche, West Liberty, Grinnell
Players to Watch: Chloe Meester Chloe Meester OH Mount Vernon | 2025 State #37 Nation IA , Mount Vernon; Sydney Huber Sydney Huber S Mount Vernon | 2025 State IA , Mount Vernon; Jaden Rolland Jaden Rolland DS/L State IA , Mount Vernon; Brooke Ellyson Brooke Ellyson 5'10" | MB Mount Vernon | 2024 State IA , Mount Vernon; Reise Neuhaus Reise Neuhaus OH Anamosa | 2025 State IA , Anamosa; Lola Holub, Anamosa; Sophie Sander Sophie Sander 5'10" | S Anamosa | 2026 State IA , Anamosa; Sophie Buysse, West Liberty; Ava Morrison, West Liberty; Piper Nelson, Benton; Emma Townsley, Benton; Gloria Mullen, South Tama; Kenzie McClelland, Grinnell; Miley Duritza, Camanche; Phoenix Gryp, Williamsburg.
Outlook: Second-ranked Mount Vernon is seeking its sixth state tourney bid in a row and trying to reach the final eight for the 15th time in the last 17 years. The Mustangs have wins in all of their matches this season outside of the two times they faced Class 2A No. 1 Dike-New Hartford. Pleasant Valley (5A No. 5), Liberty (5A No. 10), Council Bluffs Lincoln (5A No. 15) and Xavier (4A No. 4) are among their victims. No. 13 Anamosa and No. 14 West Liberty also show up in this region. Anamosa is chasing down its first-ever state berth and West Liberty seeks its third trip in a row.
Region 8
Top Seed: Davenport Assumption
Others: Washington, Fairfield, Davis County, Solon, Central Lee, Tipton, Mediapolis
Players to Watch: Ellie Schubert Ellie Schubert 5'9" | S Davenport Assumption | 2025 State IA , Assumption; Ellah Derrer Ellah Derrer 6'4" | MB Davenport Assumption | 2026 State IA , Assumption; Maggie Johnson, Assumption; Yasmine Sell Yasmine Sell MB Solon | 2025 State IA , Solon; Grace Erwin Grace Erwin MB Solon | 2025 State IA , Solon; Kennedey Whitford Kennedey Whitford 5'5" | DS/L Solon | 2026 State IA , Solon; Avary Calonder, Tipton; Paycee Sorgenfrey, Tipton; Lilly Bergren, Fairfield; Maddie Jones, Fairfield; Charley Barnhart, Davis County; Taylor Jones, Central Lee; Haley Steffener Haley Steffener 5'9" | OH Mediapolis | 2024 State IA , Mediapolis; Leighton Messinger Leighton Messinger 5'9" | OH Washington | 2026 State IA , Washington;
Outlook: Defending state champion Assumption is looking to reach the final eight for a sixth year in a row. The fourth-ranked Knights claim wins against Dubuque Senior (5A N0. 9), Dubuque Hempstead (5A No. 13), Center Point-Urbana (3A No. 9), Marion (4A No. 7) and Solon (3A No. 11) in ’23. They own a victory against No. 11 Solon and are scheduled to face the Spartans again on Saturday at the Center Point-Urbana tournament. Solon has victories against Xavier (4A No. 4), West Liberty and Center Point Urbana.