Iowa Postseason Tea: The Upsets, Must Watch Regional Semifinals
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Got a game, got a chance. Iowa teams are taking advantage of their chance to advance in the road to Xtream Arena in Coralville where the state tournament will be held October 30-November 2. We are looking at some upsets…
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Continue ReadingGot a game, got a chance. Iowa teams are taking advantage of their chance to advance in the road to Xtream Arena in Coralville where the state tournament will be held October 30-November 2. We are looking at some upsets so far, who could be on upset alert, and what can we look for in the regional finals!
The Upsets
Underwood and Treynor have had plenty of rivalry games in a variety of sports. Volleyball is no different. Treynor was the top seed in the region with a 30-4 record, however Underwood was coming in with a winning streak and nothing to lose, taking on their rival. Alizabeth Jacobsen Alizabeth Jacobsen 6'3" | MB Underwood | 2024 State IA is back in the lineup and surpassed 1,000 kills in her career after having 17 kills in a three set sweep. Class 2A, Region 3 is wide open with the four teams remaining are Underwood (12-21) vs. Tri Center Neola (25-9) and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (24-7) vs. Pleasantville (27-11). EBF are led by Northern Iowa commits in Kate Shafer Kate Shafer S Eddyville-Blakesburg Fremont | 2025 State IA and Molly Shafer Molly Shafer OH Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2025 State IA where they have played in state volleyball and basketball tournaments – they could now be the favorite in this region.
Staying in Class 2A, Region 7 is a gauntlet of talented teams where Denver, Iowa City Regina, and Lisbon would be the leaders. However, West Branch had revenge on the mind against Regina looking to avenge an earlier five set loss. The Bears were led by a balanced attack of Alyse Klinkkammer Alyse Klinkkammer 5'6" | DS/L West Branch | 2024 State IA , Emily Coleman, Kya Montgomery, and Jalynn Falco with double digit kills. They will take on Lisbon where they played in the Lisbon Tournament earlier this season, but have not faced them yet.
Class 4A, Region 7 started with a mild upset with Pella defeating Bondurant-Farrar on the road with a four set win. Sophomore Katie Scheckel Katie Scheckel S Pella | 2026 State IA had quite a night, leading the Dutch in assists, kills, and digs. They will take on Ballard in a regional semifinal where the winner will take on the winner of Marion and Western Dubuque.
Must Watch Matches
The Battle of Orange City – MOC Floyd Valley is technically the higher seed over Unity Christian. These two Orange City squads will have quite a crowd and huge match on their hands as they look to advance to the regional final. Unity has the experience, MOC has their home court, will be a rocking night in OC.
Class 3A – Region 4 – New Hampton vs. Osage
Osage has a long string of consecutive state tournament runs. They advanced to state with a win over Dubuque Wahlert in 2022. This year they aren’t the top seed in their region and will go on the road to take on New Hampton who is 30-5. The Chickasaws have a loaded senior class that is led by Marissa Cahoy Marissa Cahoy 6'0" | MB New Hampton | 2024 State IA who has nearly 300 kills on the season and leads the team in blocks as well.
Class 4A – Region 1 – Sioux City Heelan vs. Sioux Center
Sioux Center was the Class 3A runner up in 2022 and bumped up a class, still a little odd to see Sioux Center in Class 4A. They will take on Sioux City Heelan who has been to the past two state tournaments. These two teams haven’t played each other this season, but have been at some of the same tournaments. This will be a fun match that I can only imagine will be a ruckus crowd, great atmosphere for high school volleyball.
Class 4A – Region 4 – Carlisle vs. Norwalk
This region is too close to call. Carlisle (24-7) will head to Norwalk (24-14). Norwalk has a bit of a tougher schedule with some big wins that would give them the edge in getting the homecourt. Carlisle will come into the match with a 1-2 punch of Juniors in Ashlee AK Christensen and Sydney Light Sydney Light 6'0" | MB Carlisle | 2025 State IA – the two have combined for over 500 kills. The Wildcats will be preparing for a heavy dose of Noelle Sutcliffe Noelle Sutcliffe 5'11" | OH Norwalk | 2024 State IA who is one of the top outside hitters in Class 4A for Norwalk and is the school’s all time leader in kills.
Class 5A – Region 3 – Sioux City East vs. Sioux City North
Heelan won’t be the only gym rocking tonight in SIoux City. East vs. North will be going head to head with a spot in the regional finals on the line. East will be the host where they have a 3-0 record against North this year alone. With the fourth time be the charm for the Stars? Ava Lloyd Ava Lloyd 5'9" | OH Sioux City North | 2026 State IA , an electric outside hitter will be a key player for North where she has the ability to score plenty of points.
Class 5A – Region 6 – Iowa City vs. Muscatine
This is going to be an electric matchup tonight in Iowa City. City High is 22-9 with Muscatine coming in at 23-10. The Little Hawks are led by the outside duo of Claire Ernst Claire Ernst 6'0" | OH City | 2024 State IA and Emmy McComas Emmy McComas 6'0" | MB Iowa City | 2025 State IA where Muscatine has the Seaman girls. Senior, Brylee Seaman has over 300 kills and was named 1st Team All MAC while freshman, Belle Seaman has made quite a statement this season for the Class of 2027 with over 800 assists and nearly 50 kills.