3A State Bracket Breakdown, Interesting Storylines

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/5a-state-bracket-breakdown-main-storylines/">5A State Bracket Breakdown, Interesting Storylines</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/4a-state-bracket-breakdown-interesting-storylines/">4A State Bracket Breakdown, Interesting Storylines</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukee Northwest in 5A and 3A's Western Christian share something in common as the favorites to win the state title in their respective classes. They each return most of their production from runner-up squads a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that in mind, let's take a look at interesting storylines and break down the state tournament bracket with action getting underway on Tuesday. You can view the event's full schedule <a href="https://ighsau.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/25statevolleyball/webpairingsallvb25.pdf">here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STORYLINES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Can the Wolfpack complete climb back to mountain top? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western Christian missed a chance at repeating as 3A state champions last season, finishing second to a loaded Mount Vernon team. It would have been a three-peat, in a sense, with the Wolfpack winning the 2A title in 2022. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the prohibitive favorite to win a third title in three years, however. And it gets a chance to avenge last year's championship loss by drawing Mount Vernon in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Western would tie Wahlert Catholic for the most titles (20) if it takes down the field this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781456' first='Morgan' last='Kooiman'] (363 kills) and [player_tooltip player_id='838030' first='Scarlett' last='Winterfeld'] (344) lead a ferocious attack with [player_tooltip player_id='767740' first='Maddyn' last='De Jager'] and [player_tooltip player_id='489999' first='Bentley' last='Bliek'] also able to end points. [player_tooltip player_id='455736' first='Maggie' last='Van Schepen'] is a seasoned setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='741262' first='Breslyn' last='Kooima'] gets the job done in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption's star power could carry it to title. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3A field is filled with teams preparing to upset Western Christian. Second-seeded Assumption is among them and has the high-end performers capable of getting it done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights are tested against a strong schedule to date. They own wins against state qualifiers in West Des Moines Valley (5A), North Scott (4A) and Beckman Catholic (2A). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'], a Kansas State commitment, can dominate a match as well as anybody in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] ranks among the top setters in Iowa, and [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] stands out through six rotations as one of the state's best sophomores. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='630696' first='Erin' last='Robbins'] and Delylah Graves provide more presence at the net, and [player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'] holds down the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>That's a whole lotta wins and not many losses. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Third-seeded Red Oak (38-2) and No. 6 Kuemper Catholic (31-2) face off as the two teams with the best overall records in the field. They've combined for 69 wins against just four defeats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be interesting to see how the match plays out if it's closely contested. Neither team has many close results on their resumes. The pressure of a tight competition combining with what the state tournament brings could spark fireworks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Red Oak boasts a steady presence in senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='793764' first='Emily' last='Sebeniecher'] (965 assists). She feeds a potent attack featuring [player_tooltip player_id='753891' first='Jocelyn' last='O'Neal'] (414 kills), [player_tooltip player_id='833988' first='Keely' last='Jones'] (306) and [player_tooltip player_id='814847' first='Karly' last='Jenkins'] (245). [player_tooltip player_id='796894' first='Mariel' last='Ramirez'] is up to 401 digs during the campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kuemper counters with a consistent senior setter in [player_tooltip player_id='753919' first='Elsa' last='Tiefenthaler'] (816 assists). She helps sophomores Kolbi Peter (264 kills) and Mariah Heuton (252) lead a dangerous attack. Zoe Bruning is a two-way contributor in the middle of the net, and [player_tooltip player_id='800437' first='Kaylie' last='Simons']' 606 digs tell you what you need to know about her play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Is there a capable underdog in the 3A field? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are actually multiple options here. That's why these schools are in the state tournament. They're good...and capable of a run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The aforementioned Kuemper Catholic fits the description as do fifth-seeded Cherokee Washington and No. 4 Humbolt. The latter two teams will meet in what should be an entertaining quarterfinal matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington owns a pair of victories against 4A state qualifier Sergeant Bluff-Luton this season and also one versus last year's 4A champ, Bishop Heelan. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='493982' first='Deidra' last='Doeden'], Ellana Mortenson and [player_tooltip player_id='574225' first='Addy' last='Wolfswinkel'] all have at least 221 kills with Wolfswinkel also dishing out 403 assists. Ireland Kennedy has 362 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261087' first='Mia' last='Schluter'] are a potent 1-2 punch on the Humboldt attack with [player_tooltip player_id='841633' first='Alivia' last='Goodell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='758779' first='Kendall' last='Works'] also chipping in at the net. Setter Addie Waldorf is one of Iowa's top 10th-graders, and [player_tooltip player_id='801455' first='Claire' last='Dieleman'] plays well the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BRACKET BREAKDOWN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western Christian and Assumption have appeared to be in a collision course for much of the season. It's been a long trip for a pair of schools <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Assumption+High+School,+West+Central+Park+Avenue,+Davenport,+IA/925+5th+St,+Hull,+IA+51239/@42.3431066,-96.0011358,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x87e234c476d8262b:0xacbc5caeb31ba0c7!2m2!1d-90.5881612!2d41.5460319!1m5!1m1!1s0x878c39970e074101:0x3c0c36c1ccf59c7!2m2!1d-96.1332119!2d43.1930825?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAyOS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D">separated by 375 miles</a>. As mentioned above, several teams in this bracket can spring an upset and go on a run, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I see the bracket playing out with closely-contested matches ending with the favorites pulling out tough decisions. That could even be the case when Mount Vernon lines up against Western Christian in Tuesday's quarterfinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-Prairie faces an uphill climb against the size of Assumption in the quarters, but the Golden Hawks are scrappy and talented. The Washington-Humboldt and Red Oak-Kuemper matches look fairly even on paper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at my predictions for this bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->