Can't-Miss Regional Finals in Classes 3A, 4A, 5A

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/weigh-in-wednesday-who-is-top-player-in-iowa/">Weigh-In Wednesday: Who is Top Player in Iowa?</a>   Some folks believe the toughest match to win during a prep volleyball season is the regional final. The theory leans on there being extreme pressure that comes with the final step in qualifying for the state tournament.   We've reached that part of the journey in Classes 3A, 4A and 5A following Thursday night's semifinals. One more victory for teams still alive in the tournament punches their tickets to state at Xtream Arena in Coraville Nov. 3-6.   Here's a look at the most intriguing regional finals in those classifications:   CLASS 5A   Iowa City Liberty at Iowa City West   The competitive fire in this game will be difficult for others to match. And when rivals get together, expect strange occurrences.   The Lightning had won six in a row against West before the resurgent Trojans took a five-setter on Oct. 7. The Trojans then captured a 2-0 decision when they met again at the MVC championship in Cedar Falls a week later.   The squads know each other well with many of the student-athletes facing off during club in addition to school ball. It will come down to which program is up for the pressure-packed challenge, taking advantage of opportunities and limiting mistakes.   West's [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Sophia' last='Austen'], an Iowa State commitment, is as good as any player in the state. The same can be said about Lightning libero, [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'], a Dayton pledge. Both stars have plenty of talent around them.   The Trojans have received strong play this season from [player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'], Lila Eastvold, [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte']. Liberty counters with impactful players in [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'].   Cedar Falls at West Des Moines Valley   It's a matchup of two teams with Tiger mascots that have combined for seven state tournament berths already this decade. Only one can add to that resume, however.   Valley advanced to this point with a sweep of Des Moines Roosevelt on Thursday, while Cedar Falls took down Prairie, 3-0. Valley snuck by Cedar Falls, 2-1, at the Johnston tournament in Oct. 18 in the only meeting between the two schools this season. Cedar Falls had won the previous six meetings in the series, including a 2-0 win at last year's Johnston tournament.   Both teams bring experience and star power to this match. Valley is led by setter [player_tooltip player_id='261075' first='Kaelyn' last='Wieland'], a Minnesota State commitment. The senior has handed out 410 assists and delivered 211 kills working within the 6-2 system. Classmate [player_tooltip player_id='839207' first='Thia' last='Raridon'] is a hammer on the outside with [player_tooltip player_id='517919' first='Brooklyn' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443086' first='Brynn' last='Cibula'] also contributing greatly to the Tiger attack.   Cedar Falls also benefits from an outstanding senior setter in [player_tooltip player_id='261058' first='Brynn' last='Bakula'], who feeds a potent attacker led by [player_tooltip player_id='389853' first='Kennedy' last='Krecklow'] along with freshman phenom, Haddasah Smith, in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='389010' first='Annistyn' last='Wedgbury'] is as steady as they come at libero.   CLASS 4A   Marion at Solon   It's a tale of two dynamics when these WaMac rivals face off with a state tournament berth on the line. Marion is seeking its fourth appearance at state this decade. The Spartans are attempting to get there for the first time since 2014.   Solon won both meetings between the programs this season. The first one was a thrilling, 3-2 triumph at home on Sept. 23. A 2-0 victory came at the conference tournament at Solon on Oct. 16.   Spartan senior [player_tooltip player_id='455710' first='Kiley' last='Devery'], a Fresno State pledge, is a handful in the front row, as evidence by her 315 kills (.263). She gets help on the attack from [player_tooltip player_id='754537' first='Amelia' last='Guinn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448350' first='Jozie' last='Lahr']. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='373682' first='Kennedey' last='Whitford'], a South Dakota State commitment, holds it down in the back row.   The Wolves are led by freshman [player_tooltip player_id='759977' first='Abbey' last='Kirk'], who had racked up 348 kills, 260 digs and 40.0 blocks in 97 sets. [player_tooltip player_id='754002' first='Braelin' last='Wieseler'], [player_tooltip player_id='827511' first='Nayomi' last='Vasser'] and Paige Johnson are other key contributors.   Lewis Central at Sergeant Bluff-Luton   The western part of the state will be lit up with this intriguing matchup. Sergeant Bluff-Luton looks to get back to state after upsetting top-seeded Xavier there last season. Lewis Central seeks another road upset after taking down MOC-Floyd Valley in five sets Thursday.   The Warriors won this matchup in last year's regional final, 3-1. They schools met only one other time since 2016, a 3-0 Titan win that year.   [player_tooltip player_id='389844' first='Bre' last='VanDenTop'], [player_tooltip player_id='812711' first='Delaney' last='Griebel'], Bailey Ball and [player_tooltip player_id='493652' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hardie'] have keyed Sergeant Bluff-Luton this season. Lewis Central has received consistently strong play from [player_tooltip player_id='572668' first='Jacey' last='Young'], Mallory Wohlers, [player_tooltip player_id='890714' first='Aubree' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='882673' first='Emary' last='Cooper'].   Western Dubuque at North Scott   Two schools that take on bigger schools within their conferences meet with a trip to the state tournament up for grabs. North Scott seeks its six berth in a row, while the Bobcats are trying to get there for the fourth time this decade.   These teams met at the Mount Vernon tournament on Sept. 6. The [program_tooltip program_id='431978' first='Lancers' last=''] claimed a 2-1 decision, winning the third set, 15-9. It was their fourth win in a row against Western Dubuque, which last won in this series back in 2016.   [player_tooltip player_id='800048' first='Kenzie' last='Moeller'] does it all for North Scott, including powering the attack. She has help from [player_tooltip player_id='808221' first='Adalynn' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='389008' first='Addison' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261052' first='Ainsley' last='Haedt']. [player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler'] is a presence in the middle for the Bobcats, who also receive key contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='389015' first='Evelyn' last='White'], [player_tooltip player_id='748340' first='Lola' last='Quagliano'] and Gabbie Demmer.   CLASS 3A   Anamosa at Mount Vernon   Defending state champion Mount Vernon is the home team in what should be a very evenly matched contest between a pair schools separated by 15 miles. You might want to get there early for a good seat in a gym that will be rocking.   The Mustangs own an 11-0 record against Anamosa since 2008. They last met during the 2023 campaign, a 3-0 Mount Vernon victory in the regional championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='754000' first='Cali' last='Whitaker'], [player_tooltip player_id='555712' first='Sophia' last='Meester'], [player_tooltip player_id='488579' first='Mavrik' last='Schweer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='893732' first='Madison' last='Hoffert'] lead the Mustangs into Tuesday's competition. Anamosa counters with [player_tooltip player_id='389069' first='Sophie' last='Sander'], Olivia Miller, Ally Gibbs, [player_tooltip player_id='808900' first='Lauren' last='Heying'] and company.   Center Point-Urbana at Mid-Prairie   The Golden Hawks play host to Center Point-Urbana in a meeting of two consistently competitive programs. The Stormin Pointers own a 6-1 advantage in this series dating back to 2008. It's the first time they've faced off in two years.   Mid-Prairie's [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] impacts matches all around the court, lining up at setter, the pin and in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='808755' first='Jeorgia' last='Evans'] also is a six-rotation dynamo, and [player_tooltip player_id='389071' first='Harper' last='Pacha'] and [player_tooltip player_id='847956' first='Laurin' last='Fay'] are two-way contributors at the net.   Juniors Brynley Havel and [player_tooltip player_id='828179' first='Brielle' last='Trout'], along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='701976' first='Adelyn' last='Stien'], are a handful at the net for Center Point-Urbana opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='555730' first='Taylor' last='Hoskins'] locks it down in the back row.   Unity Christian at Kuemper Catholic   It's a battle of the Knights in Carroll on Tuesday night. Kuemper Catholic owns a 2-0 record in the series, the matches taking place in 2018 and 2019.   Kuemper sophomores Kolbi Peter and Mariah Heuton have combined for almost 500 kills. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='753919' first='Elsa' last='Tiefenthaler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800437' first='Kaylie' last='Simons'] have stood out at setter and libero, respectively.   [player_tooltip player_id='814181' first='Jaida' last='Barrow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='838761' first='Summer' last='Schouten'] power the Unity Christia attack. Addyson De Boom is solid in the back row, and [player_tooltip player_id='829862' first='Aubyn' last='Jansma'] shines through six rotations.   Roland-Story at Humbolt   These teams have combined for a 64-13 record in 2025. Only one of them will take all of those victories to Coralville, however.   Humboldt owns a 2-0-1 record in this series since 2018. <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2025-26/comps/h202509120659508287041679583fa46">According to Bound</a>, their meeting on Sept. 20 at the Dike-New Hartford tournament was ruled a tie.   [player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'], [player_tooltip player_id='261087' first='Mia' last='Schluter'], [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='801455' first='Claire' last='Dieleman'] are among the Humboldt standouts in 2025. The Norsemen are led by [player_tooltip player_id='493981' first='Brookelyn' last='Jondle'], [player_tooltip player_id='493603' first='Miley' last='Geise'], [player_tooltip player_id='804988' first='Caitlyn' last='Flattebo'] and Maddi Lucas.

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