Outdoor Volleyball Events We’d Love To See In Iowa

Iowa kicks off their season this week for high schools and one of the major events will be the Marj White Classic to be held at Valley Stadium between Valley, Ankeny Centennial, Waukee, and Waukee NW.  Another announced match that will be held outside is Iowa City West and City High at Trojan Stadium on October 1.  I love a good volleyball event, especially when we think outside the box (and I don't have to plan it).  Here are some fun scenarios we'd love to see for more outdoor volleyball events. 

Field of Dreams 

Western Dubuque vs. Dyersville Beckman 

Because why not? The Field of Dreams has expanded their footprint in the world of baseball, hosting a major league game, college games this fall, and why not put some sport court in the field?  The two teams can play in their backyard (literally).  Beckman and Western Dubuque are going to be two top programs in their classes. Beckman comes into 2026 as the preseason #2 team in 2A and Western Dubuque will be #4 in Class 4A.  They know the route to the state tournament whether its been in Cedar Rapids or Coralville.  As far as the time of this game, I'm guessing we'd go with early September because ones the combines get in the field it might get a bit dusty. 

Pack The Park - At Principal Park 

Norwalk, Dallas Center-Grimes, Ballard, and Indianola

We're taking it back to Downtown Des Moines.  Principal Park (Or for the “OGs” Sec Taylor) the home of the Iowa Cubs with the picturesque backdrop of the capitol gold dome would make for quite the scene.  We're taking a look at a couple 4A and 5A teams.  DCG and Indianola have always hovered around the 4A/5A line with both of them competing in 5A this year.  DCG is preseason #4 in 5A and Indianola is #9.  Norwalk comes into the season as the top squad in Class 4A.  They return a roster full of college commits that is headlined by the top player in the Class of 2028 in Elle Hatlevig Elle Hatlevig 6'1" | OH Norwalk | 2028 State #76 Nation IA who committed to Michigan State this summer.  Ballard is a preseason top ten team coming off a 26-11 record in 2025. 

The Merchants Mash - Merchants Park in Carroll

Carroll Kuemper, Humboldt, Cherokee, Roland Story 

Having grown up in Iowa, I don't think I realized how special some of these baseball stadiums are.  They have a history, a community feel, and like they say about the Field of Dreams games “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”. Merchants Park in Carroll, home of the Class 1A and 2A state baseball tournament has that old time baseball feel.  There are echoes in the stadium seating.  Bring a sport court to town and see some top 3A teams who aren't too far from Carroll go toe to toe.  Kuemper knows the way to Coralville where they have made appearances in the Class 3A state tournament and are coming off 32-3 record in 2025.  Humboldt was the new name in town last year in 3A.  They knocked off favorite in Western Christian in the semifinals and will have a talented roster returning in 2026 including UNI commit in setter Addison Waldorf Addison Waldorf 5'11" | S Humboldt | 2028 State IA .  Roland Story will be in the hunt to get to Coralville.  They are the preseason #9 squad in 3A.  Cherokee comes in as the #1 team in 3A. They return quite the senior duo in Addy Wolfswinkel Addy Wolfswinkel 5'10" | S/RS Cherokee Washington | 2027 State IA (Omaha commit) and Deidra Doeden Deidra Doeden 6'3" | MB Cherokee Washington | 2027 State IA (Wichita State commit). They were state quarterfinalists in volleyball and basketball in 2025. 

Missouri River Rivalry - Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City 

Heelan, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, MOC-FV, Western Christian, Lewis Central, Sioux Center

We're sticking with the baseball stadium theme we have going on here.  Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City is home to the Sioux City Explorers and hosted the Class 3A and 4A state baseball tournament. Sioux City is a host for NAIA Nationals for volleyball and womens basketball.  They know how to put on a great event.  This particular one could be a classic of some of the top teams in Western Iowa who are always in the hunt for a state tournament.  Heelan, SBL, and Lewis Central will try and avoid each other in regional tournament play. They are all ranked in the Class 4A poll to start the season.  MOC-Floyd Valley will be a team to keep tabs on as they will return UNI libero commit Deviryn McCarty Deviryn McCarty 5'8" | DS/L/OH MOC-Floyd Valley | 2028 State #96 Nation IA who was out with an injury as a sophomore, but will be an electric outside hitter and defender for the Dutch.  Sioux Center was the Class 4A state runner up in Class 4A and will always have athletes who can compete at a high level.  And then there's Western Christian.  The Wolfpack year in and year out produce top teams and volleyball is in their blood. They have made every state tournament (not really, but its pretty close). Turn the lights on and lets play ball!