Bracket Breakdown, Predictions: Classes 3A, 2A, 1A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I toyed with posting a final set of rankings this week but opted to start digging in to the postseason. The action gets underway next Monday, believe it or not. Conferences that have yet to crown champions will do so in the coming days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can check out bracket breakdowns and predictions for Classes 4A and 5A <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/bracket-breakdown-predictions-classes-5a-4a/">HERE.</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at how the brackets for the state's three smaller classes stack up:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending state champion Mount Vernon lost three Division I athletes to graduation after last season. While the Mustangs have done a nice job in reloading, they're a long-shot to repeat. They certainly can cause some trouble, however. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western Christian entered the season as the favorite in 3A after coming up short against Mount Vernon in the 2024 title match. The Wolfpack has looked the part with only two losses against Iowa competition. Class 5A favorite Waukee Northwest and Sioux Center, a state-title contender in 4A, are the ones that can make that claim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='455736' first='Maggie' last='Van Schepen'] runs the show with expertise, feeding a bevy of attackers champing at the bit to inflict damage in the opponent. That group includes [player_tooltip player_id='838030' first='Scarlett' last='Winterfeld'], [player_tooltip player_id='781456' first='Morgan' last='Kooiman'], [player_tooltip player_id='767740' first='Maddyn' last='De Jager'] and [player_tooltip player_id='489999' first='Bentley' last='Bliek']. [player_tooltip player_id='741262' first='Breslyn' last='Kooima'] holds it down in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I thought Davenport Assumption could give Western a run for its money when watching it at the Prep Dig Sizzle back in early August. The Knights have confirmed that belief during the regular season. Their three in-state setbacks this season were against 5A powers Northwest and Ankeny, and 2A title-contender Dike-New Hartford.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assumption runs a clean operation thanks to a sensational senior setter. Evansville commitment [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] makes things easy for teammates and can finish points in her own. Kansas State [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'] patrols the middle with two-way authority. Like Kelley and Derrer, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] impacts matches on offense and defense, while [player_tooltip player_id='630696' first='Erin' last='Robbins'] makes sure middle play stays at a high level when Derrer rotates out. [player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'] is rock solid in the back row, and Delylah Graves has raised her play as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western and Assumption stand out among the 3A championship hopefuls and should have a pretty easy time of it before reaching Coralville. Interesting teams with standout players and upsets on their minds lurk in the shadows, however. Let's take a look at some of them: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cherokee Washington</strong> - Western Christian and 2A title hopeful Hinton are the lone in-state opponents to top Cherokee. [player_tooltip player_id='493982' first='Deidra' last='Doeden'], Ellana Mortenson and [player_tooltip player_id='574225' first='Addy' last='Wolfswinkel'] lead a formidable attack, and Ireland Kennedy deals defensively in the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Oak - </strong>The Tigers won 29 of their first 31 matches in 2025 with their only losses being against 4A state title contenders Pella and Sioux Center. &nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='793764' first='Emily' last='Sebeniecher'] is a sound setter with [player_tooltip player_id='753891' first='Jocelyn' last='O'Neal'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='833988' first='Keely' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='814847' first='Karly' last='Jenkins'] powering the attack. [player_tooltip player_id='796894' first='Mariel' last='Ramirez'] takes care of business in the back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Humboldt - </strong>The only blemishes on the Wildcats' record this year have occurred against title contenders. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'] feeds a strong group of attackers that includes [player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'], [player_tooltip player_id='261087' first='Mia' last='Schluter'], [player_tooltip player_id='833174' first='Jazzie' last='Dodd'], [player_tooltip player_id='841633' first='Alivia' last='Goodell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='758779' first='Kendall' last='Works'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted State Tournament Qualifiers in 3A:&nbsp;</strong>Western Christian, Assumption, Cherokee Washington, Red Oak, Humboldt, Kuemper Catholic, Mid-Prairie, West Delaware. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Denver Cyclones left last year's state tournament as the 2A champion and the favorite to repeat in 2025. They've solidified that position as we head into regional play, where they should cruise back to Coralville. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sumner-Fredericksburg is the only team to down Denver this season. The Cyclones won the other meeting between the schools, which face off in Tuesday's regular-season finale. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'] has been great for Denver with almost 1,000 assists and more than 100 kills this season. [player_tooltip player_id='389017' first='Bailey' last='Mullihan'] also has been outstanding as a 12th-grader with 330 kills (.345), 31.0 blocks and 135 digs. [player_tooltip player_id='827473' first='Mylee' last='Thurm'] and [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch'] have stood out on the attack, and [player_tooltip player_id='389009' first='Grace' last='Mullihan'] has added to it as she works her way back from injury. [player_tooltip player_id='835359' first='Madeline' last='Hildebrandt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='739138' first='Mackenzie' last='McEwan'] also play important roles for the Cyclones. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who can challenge Denver, if anyone, is a matter of opinion and may be guided by geography: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dike-New Hartford - </strong>The rival Wolverines have matched up respectably with the Cyclones in 2025 and faced a daunting schedule to prepare themselves for the postseason. [player_tooltip player_id='389014' first='Abby' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='761890' first='Keely' last='Kauten'], [player_tooltip player_id='893076' first='Kailyn' last='Meester'], [player_tooltip player_id='818264' first='Rylee' last='Reicks'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='893719' first='Aubrey' last='Asche'] and Ruby Varney are battle-tested. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverside - </strong>The Bulldogs are unbeaten with Sydney Somers, Lilli Reed, [player_tooltip player_id='816473' first='Madison' last='Kelley'], Arabella Singleton, Sophia Fenner and Bentley Rone leading the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hinton - </strong>The Blackhawks have dropped only two matches this season. [player_tooltip player_id='389079' first='Bailey' last='Boeve'], a Creighton commit, is one of the state's top players. She gets significant support from [player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen'], [player_tooltip player_id='891592' first='Macie' last='Charlson'], [player_tooltip player_id='833710' first='Karlyn' last='Kovarna'], Addison Dunkel and [player_tooltip player_id='552901' first='Katelyn' last='Hoefling'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grundy Center - </strong>When the Spartans show up with<strong> </strong>6-foot-8 [player_tooltip player_id='818213' first='Ryanne' last='Brubaker'] in the middle of the net, opponents must buckle up. [player_tooltip player_id='839302' first='Trinity' last='Jirovsky'], [player_tooltip player_id='891599' first='Charlee' last='Kirkpatrick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='833186' first='Jenna' last='Blythe'] add to Grundy Center's powerful attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted State Tournament Qualifiers in 2A:</strong> Denver, Dike-New Hartford, Hinton, Grundy Center, Beckman Catholic, Union Community, Riverside, Regina Catholic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With three-time defending 1A champion Ankeny Christian coming back to the pack after graduation losses, this classification appears the most wide open among its in-state counterparts. Here's a closer look at the contenders: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Trinity Catholic - </strong>Led by trio of two-way stars in [player_tooltip player_id='493659' first='Adalyn' last='Kruse'], [player_tooltip player_id='320104' first='Presley' last='Myers'] and Olivia Bendlage, the Crusaders have been my top team in 1A since the preseason. Holy Trinity will need others beyond the Big 3 to carry it across the finish line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saint Ansgar - </strong>The Saints come marching into the postseason with a pair of losses to Denver, and one apiece to Cedar Falls and Humboldt. That's it. Standout [player_tooltip player_id='552892' first='Lindsay' last='Kruse'] received sizable support from [player_tooltip player_id='814108' first='Jacey' last='Johnston'], Quinn Osgood, [player_tooltip player_id='455737' first='Sofia' last='Parrott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='796795' first='Makenna' last='Norby'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Tama - </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389013' first='Kruiz' last='Ewoldt'] can take over matches. [player_tooltip player_id='891586' first='Alaney' last='Sienknecht'], Lily Sell, [player_tooltip player_id='842174' first='Cayleigh' last='Heller'], Brooke Bradley and [player_tooltip player_id='389932' first='Addison' last='Hochstetler'] chip in prime contributions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Janesville - </strong>The Wildcats have held up well against a challenging schedule thanks to the play of [player_tooltip player_id='887022' first='Quinn' last='Sweeney'], [player_tooltip player_id='518035' first='Hayden' last='Anderson'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='805728' first='Honor' last='Hovenga'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='826988' first='Lauren' last='Meaney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='794168' first='Gracie' last='Bloes'], among others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Predicted State Tournament Qualifiers in 1A:</strong> Saint Ansgar, Holy Trinity Catholic, North Tama, Boyden-Hull, Janesville, Springville, Ankeny Chrisitian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->