Predicting the Iowa Class 4A Regional Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tickets are ready, they just need to be punched. Iowa teams will all be competing for a spot in the state tournament this week. Let's take a look at Class 4A, the regional finals, and who could be heading to Xtream Arena to compete under the bright lights of the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":263481,"width":"522px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5398496240601505","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/62-Maddie-LaFleur.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-263481" style="aspect-ratio:1.5398496240601505;width:522px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Maddie LaFleur - Sioux City Heelan</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux City Heelan (28-14) @ Council Bluffs Lewis Central (30-2) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will at least be a shorter trip for Sioux City Heelan for their regional final compared to 2022 when they had to make the trip to Norwalk where they punched their ticket to state.&nbsp; Lewis Central will play host where based off record, they look like a heavy favorite.&nbsp; They have a solid record, they have previously beaten Heelan, and they have [player_tooltip player_id='215458' first='Brooke' last='Larsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='251671' first='Anna' last='Strohmeier'] as their top attackers.&nbsp; However, Heelan has been here before where they are the underdog heading into the regional final.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='217136' first='Maliyah' last='Hacker'] is a dangerous attacker while Maddie LaFleur has had a huge season as a setter with over 800 assists on the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I tend to favor the teams who are extremely battle tested.  Heelan has a schedule full of ranked opponents, they have won the past two regional finals, and I think this could be three in a row.  Heelan punches their ticket back to state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":261440,"width":"599px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501466275659824","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/DSC07980.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-261440" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:599px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aspen Nelson, Indianola</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 2 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenwood (30-10-1) @ Indianola (35-4) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianola advanced to the state tournament with a strong core of sophomores and juniors in 2022. They dropped a tough five set match to Western Dubuque.&nbsp; They are back and better, looking to have a longer run in Coralville, but first they need to defeat Glenwood.&nbsp; Glenwood did lose 0-2 to Indianola in Indianola's home tournament.&nbsp; The Rams will be led by [player_tooltip player_id='214507' first='Charley' last='Hernandez'] as the top attacker, but will be going against a really balanced attack by Indianola that is quarterbacked by [player_tooltip player_id='193202' first='Tori' last='Runyan'] who has over 900 assists on the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianola has a ton of firepower and experience.  Indians are back to state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 3 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dallas Center-Grimes (20-12) @ ADM (26-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DCG will head about 20 minutes down the road to take on ADM for a trip to Xtream.&nbsp; ADM defeated DCG just over two weeks ago 3-0.&nbsp; DCG has played a rugged schedule with some of the top teams in Central Iowa, playing a team like ADM won't be unusual for them.&nbsp; Two of the three losses for ADM happened just over a week ago, losing to Union twice.&nbsp; ADM has a balanced attack, but are led by [player_tooltip player_id='168158' first='Marissa' last='Gerleman'] who has over 300 kills on the season.&nbsp; DCG has an exciting duo of freshmen in leading attacker, [player_tooltip player_id='394331' first='Maggie' last='Leifker'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='493924' first='Gwen' last='Farley'] with 655 assists.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think DCG might just be a year away from their time.  ADM takes this one and heads to Xtream. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":437991,"width":"631px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.1228070175438596","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/502-Kaylee-Koudelka.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-437991" style="aspect-ratio:1.1228070175438596;width:631px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='251680' first='Kaylee' last='Koudelka'], North Polk</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 4 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norwalk (25-14) @ North Polk (29-9) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is too close to call.&nbsp; Both of these teams have similar schedules and have experience in the regional final.&nbsp; They are looking for redemption from 2022.&nbsp; Norwalk was second in the Little Hawkeye Conference behind Indianola.&nbsp; North Polk was second in the Raccoon River behind ADM.&nbsp; All of these Central Iowa teams have a lot of familiarity with each other from playing against each other in youth sports for years.&nbsp; This is a coin flip, I think its going five sets.&nbsp; The stars will have to come out to shine with [player_tooltip player_id='168192' first='Noelle' last='Sutcliffe'] from Norwalk and [player_tooltip player_id='251680' first='Kaylee' last='Koudelka'] of North Polk.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be a fifth set, two point type of match.  I'm going with North Polk with their home court advantage and a little bit more balance.  Would love to see this match in person! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":243190,"width":"580px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501466275659824","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/137A9274.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-243190" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:580px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'25 Cedar Rapids (IA) Xavier High OH [player_tooltip player_id='215392' first='Libby' last='Fandel']. (Rob Howe/PrepDig.com) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 5 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waverly-Shell Rock (17-26) @ Xavier (23-6) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waverly-Shell Rock is back in a regional final.&nbsp; They upset conference rival Charles City in a five set thriller, with set five going 17-15 in favor of the Go-Hawks.&nbsp; They will have a huge challenge in front of them heading to Cedar Rapids to take on Xavier, the defending state champions.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='215392' first='Libby' last='Fandel'], the basketball-volleyball star, leads the Saints with 368 kills.&nbsp; She was one of the key players in their run to a title in 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier is experienced and incredibly talented - they are back to state - again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":263507,"width":"405px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.978494623655914","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/101-Brittany-Bacorn.jpg?w=1001" alt="" class="wp-image-263507" style="aspect-ratio:0.978494623655914;width:405px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='168157' first='Brittany' last='Bacorn'], Knoxville </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 6 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knoxville (27-9) @ North Scott (25-4) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville went on the road and knocked off a higher seed in Nevada to advance to the regional finals.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='168157' first='Brittany' last='Bacorn'], a Tulsa commit, has been propelling the Panthers to a strong post season.&nbsp; A freshman to keep tabs on would be DS/L [player_tooltip player_id='493967' first='Abbie' last='Keitges'] who has over 350 digs on the season.&nbsp; North Scott are the MAC Champs defeating the likes of Assumption and Pleasant Valley - highly ranked teams in 3A and 5A.&nbsp; They also have one of the top attackers in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='215406' first='Abbey' last='Hayes'], and a group of athletes who have state tournament experience in multiple sports.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Scott has a lot of firepower and experience and will be heading to Xtream. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":453118,"width":"603px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5238095238095237","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/137A8344.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-453118" style="aspect-ratio:1.5238095238095237;width:603px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'24 Marion MH/OH [player_tooltip player_id='168178' first='Michaela' last='Goad']. (Rob Howe/PrepDig.com) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 7 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ballard (22-8) @ Marion (25-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a really unique matchup with Ballard who was third in the Raccoon River Conference behind fellow regional finalist ADM And North Polk while Marion was the runner up in the WAMAC defeating top ranked in 3A, Mount Vernon before losing to Class 4A undefeated and top seed Clear Creek-Amana.&nbsp; Marion has been to the state tournament three of the past four seasons and have a rugged schedule.&nbsp; Top attacker [player_tooltip player_id='168178' first='Michaela' last='Goad'] is tough to stop and knows what its like to play in the spotlight along with libero [player_tooltip player_id='168180' first='Natalee' last='Hartman'].&nbsp; Ballard has four attackers with over 100 kills.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going with experience and a home court advantage with Marion punching their ticket to the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":395003,"width":"623px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501466275659824","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/DSC07945.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-395003" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:623px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='168156' first='Meg' last='Berkland'], CCA</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 8 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oskaloosa (16-16) @ Clear Creek-Amana (44-0) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>44-0, that's something.&nbsp; With these Saturday morning tournaments that sometimes only go to sets of 21, there's not much error for some of these teams and to come into the post season undefeated is quite a feat.&nbsp; Clear Creek-Amana has athletes that are elite at every position.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='168156' first='Meg' last='Berkland'] is one of the top liberos in Class 4A and the top available prospect in the Class of 2024 in Iowa.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='168155' first='Bliss' last='Beck'], the Drake commit will be a force to stop out of the middle.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Wins? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CCA will head to the state tournament as the top seed and will have unfinished business on their mind.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->