Getting You Ready for Class 1A, 2A Regional Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, I wrote about players to watch and offered up predictions for the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-2a-regional-brackets/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-2a-regional-brackets/">Class 2A</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-1a-regional-brackets/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-1a-regional-brackets/">Class 1A</a> Regionals. All of the teams picked to reach state advanced through last night's semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an update getting you ready for Wednesday night's regional finals: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I skipped around through several streams Monday night. There weren't a lot from which to choose with the associated fees needed to broadcast (a topic for another day). Most of the time was spent watching St. Edmond upset defending Class 1A state champion Saint Ansgar on the road. [player_tooltip player_id='892918' first='Eden' last='Horn'] stood out for the winners. The sophomore, who already reports a college basketball offer from South Dakota, flashed a lot of volleyball potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gaels will head out on the road again on Wednesday, lining up against No. 1 seed Boyden-Hull at Spencer. If the gang including Horn, Ella Vandi, Emerie Horn, Chloe Palmer, Ellasyn Whitmore and Rihanna Myers scrambles and makes plays the way it did on Monday, the favorites better bring their A Game, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I also checked out Class 2A contender Grundy Center for a second round in a row. The Spartans rallied enough sponsorship to broadcast the matches, and it was much appreciated. They impressed with a dominating 3-0 win against visiting South Hamilton on Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marquette commitment [player_tooltip player_id='702527' first='Ryanne' last='Brubaker'] is one of the state's most fun kids to watch compete. The 6-foot-8, Grundy Center middle hitter blocks shots others can't come close to reaching and terminates points at a high rate. She received plenty of help from the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='891599' first='Charlee' last='Kirkpatrick'], [player_tooltip player_id='902985' first='Jenna' last='Blythe'], [player_tooltip player_id='797808' first='Raelyn' last='Steinmeyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='839302' first='Trinity' last='Jirovsky'], [player_tooltip player_id='1004312' first='Haleigh' last='Kiewiet'] and Ava Mundt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans are seeking a second trip in a row to state, where they reached the 2025 semifinals. They'll try to punch their ticket on Wednesday against Tri-Center at Ankeny. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Two-time defending Class 2A champion Denver is back in the regional finals. It will be at Center Point-Urbana on Wednesday to face Regina Catholic, which is trying to reach state for the third time in a row for the first time in program history. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reloaded Denver is young, starting a pair of eighth-graders and leaning on a lot of inexperienced players along with returning players with increased roles. Super setter [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch'] also leads the Cyclones in kills. They back her up with [player_tooltip player_id='739138' first='Mackenzie' last='McEwan'], [player_tooltip player_id='773089' first='Aubrey' last='Roethler'], [player_tooltip player_id='965637' first='Mya' last='Herrmann'], [player_tooltip player_id='1048458' first='Lydia' last='Gleason'], and eighth-graders [player_tooltip player_id='1002745' first='Brehanna' last='Murch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1003009' first='Lucy' last='Murch'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The teams are tested with Denver facing the toughest schedule among 2A teams with Regina checking in fourth, according to Bound. The Regals have a talented mix of experience and youth that includes [player_tooltip player_id='403543' first='Addie' last='Bollier'], [player_tooltip player_id='902970' first='Nora' last='Wilhelm'], [player_tooltip player_id='765628' first='Lyla' last='Chandler'], [player_tooltip player_id='902968' first='Jada' last='Wiltz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1003130' first='Lexi' last='Gaffey'], Adalee Klein, Leah Sickels and [player_tooltip player_id='582890' first='Kylie' last='Mattoon'].  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I also watched the latter stages of Hudson's 2A regional semifinal win against visiting Lisbon on Monday. It went five sets with the home team advancing through a thriller. It set up one of the more intriguing matchups on Wednesday's Region 7 Final with the Pirates taking on top-seed Woodward-Granger at Marshalltown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The finalists share 35-8 records and pack plenty of firepower. The Hawks fly high with Northern Iowa commitment [player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack'], one of the state's top 2028s. [player_tooltip player_id='804991' first='Calianna' last='Fenceroy'], [player_tooltip player_id='939207' first='Ella' last='Tague'], [player_tooltip player_id='805880' first='Jill' last='Jesse'], [player_tooltip player_id='796764' first='Maileigh' last='Genkinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='813854' first='Harper' last='Moran'] are other members of a well-rounded Woodward-Granger outfit. Hudson leans on the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='889843' first='Paige' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='754872' first='Natalie' last='Rausch'], [player_tooltip player_id='845682' first='Kaleigh' last='Leary'], Taylor Davis, Jordyn Rhoades and [player_tooltip player_id='798807' first='Siri' last='Olsen'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The Class 1A Region 8 Final looks like one of the more interesting matchups of Wednesday night. Top-seeded Gehlin Catholic will lock up with No. 2 Cedar Ridge Christian at Fort Dodge High. The No. 1 Jays are powered by Kenadee Sitzmann, Halle Walgenbach, Addi Castle, Kora Bonderson, [player_tooltip player_id='998446' first='Sienna' last='Schroeder'] and Ella Ruhland. Cedar Ridge counters with a formidable lineup led by [player_tooltip player_id='827159' first='Lydia' last='Zekeh'], [player_tooltip player_id='828475' first='Gabriella' last='Evans'], [player_tooltip player_id='800595' first='Rebecca' last='Aronson'], Isadora Wheeler, [player_tooltip player_id='743612' first='Greer' last='Wheeler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800790' first='Alana' last='Comer']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Another matchup that could create drama in Class 1A is the meeting of Dunkerton and East Mills at Johnston. Both programs are shooting to secure a state bid for the second year in a row. Dunkerton is deep in talent, including recent Wartburg commitment [player_tooltip player_id='493976' first='Kylee' last='Pexa'], [player_tooltip player_id='913851' first='Taylor' last='Kipp'], [player_tooltip player_id='893263' first='Brynlee' last='Asche'], Mariah Boeschen and Ava Fuelling. East Mills counters with [player_tooltip player_id='811382' first='Ava' last='Grindle'], [player_tooltip player_id='801627' first='Ellie' last='Hagen'], [player_tooltip player_id='794661' first='Jacey' last='Vandenberg'], Shaylee Stiverson and Brynn Williams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->