One Thing on Every 1A, 2A Team Headed to State

<!-- 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><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/one-thing-on-every-3a-4a-5a-team-headed-to-state/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/one-thing-on-every-3a-4a-5a-team-headed-to-state/">One Thing on Every 3A, 4A, 5A Team Headed to State</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I decided to <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/one-thing-on-every-3a-4a-5a-team-headed-to-state/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/one-thing-on-every-3a-4a-5a-team-headed-to-state/">write something fun</a> yesterday including all of the teams clinching a precious state tournament bid in Classes 3A-5A on Tuesday night. Wednesday night, 16 more bids were secured in Classes 1A and 2A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a closer look at those squads: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 1 Hinton returns to state for a second year in a row and the fourth time in five seasons, twice finishing as runner-up. The Blackhawks are the favorites to win it all this season with a roster that includes [player_tooltip player_id='902980' first='Addy' last='Ortegren'], [player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen'], [player_tooltip player_id='891592' first='Macie' last='Charlson'], [player_tooltip player_id='902966' first='Addison' last='Dunkel'] and Brynlee Boeve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 2 Grundy Center returns to Coralville after reaching last year's semifinals. In the Spartans' 14th trip first trip they have the team to capture the program's first title, including key players in [player_tooltip player_id='891599' first='Charlee' last='Kirkpatrick'] , [player_tooltip player_id='702527' first='Ryanne' last='Brubaker'] , [player_tooltip player_id='902985' first='Jenna' last='Blythe'] , [player_tooltip player_id='839302' first='Trinity' last='Jirovsky'] and [player_tooltip player_id='797808' first='Raelyn' last='Steinmeyer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 3 Beckman Catholic is back at state for a third season in a row and the 12th time overall in school history. The Trailblazers cruised through the regionals, winning nine of 10 sets played behind a strong lineup that includes Isabel Kluesner, [player_tooltip player_id='791383' first='Joy' last='Burkle'] , [player_tooltip player_id='955468' first='Jaylin' last='Burkle'] , Addie Koelker and [player_tooltip player_id='555781' first='Addisson' last='Hogan'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 4 Riverside is the only unbeaten team in the Class 2A field, losing just three sets all season in reaching state for the first time since 2024 and just the time ever. The Bulldogs, with [player_tooltip player_id='790364' first='Ashley' last='Kelley'] , Lilli Reed, [player_tooltip player_id='913846' first='Sydney' last='Somers'] , Vivian Gross and [player_tooltip player_id='913845' first='Sophia' last='Fenner'], have plenty of bite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 5 Union Community is a program familiar with the surroundings having been to state 11 times times since 2010. The Knights have won a 2A best 44 matches this season with a deep roster that includes [player_tooltip player_id='830328' first='Bianca' last='Grimm'] , [player_tooltip player_id='754886' first='Taylen' last='Smith'] , [player_tooltip player_id='730396' first='Caitlyn' last='Schneider'] , [player_tooltip player_id='789782' first='Hinley' last='Mast'] and Chloe Sadler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 6 Denver is the two-time defending Class 2A state champion making its seventh consecutive appearance at state, which accounts for all the appearances by the program. The Cyclones are young but mighty with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch'] , [player_tooltip player_id='739138' first='Mackenzie' last='McEwan'], [player_tooltip player_id='965637' first='Mya' last='Herrmann'], [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>-No. 7 Aplington-Parkersburg is back at the state tournament for a fourth year in a row and 11th time ever. The Falcons swept their way through the regionals behind a talented lineup that includes [player_tooltip player_id='934818' first='Jenzen' last='Klooster'] , [player_tooltip player_id='763037' first='Adri' last='Allan'] , [player_tooltip player_id='827792' first='Shelby' last='Arkulari'] ,  Kiara Morris and Kennedy Kalkwarf.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 8 Hudson pulled out a five-set victory against top-seeded Woodward-Granger in the regional final in advancing to the state tournament for the first time since 2019 and just the third time ever. [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'] , [player_tooltip player_id='798807' first='Siri' last='Olsen'] and Taylor Davis give the Pirates a chance against No. 1 Hinton in the quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 1 Ankeny Christian missed out on last year's state tournament after winning three titles in a row. The Eagles (38-2) are the favorites once again with a loaded lineup that features Dani Craighead, [player_tooltip player_id='777812' first='Havanna' last='Dolbeare'] , [player_tooltip player_id='877006' first='Breeze' last='Bentz'] , [player_tooltip player_id='909379' first='Gabbie' last='Quick'] and Katelyn Weathers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 2 Boyden-Hull swept through the regionals after facing a challenging schedule. The Comets soared into the state tournament for the first time fifth time this decade and the seventh time overall with a roster capable of winning it all that includes [player_tooltip player_id='493978' first='Elsie' last='Hoegh'] , [player_tooltip player_id='893058' first='Kaylee' last='Kamies'] , [player_tooltip player_id='924878' first='Jaelyn' last='De Jongh'] and Josie Rokusek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 3 Janesville is back at state after reaching the 1A final in 2025. The Wildcats are competing at state for the 15th time since 2010ever and are seeking their sixth title since 2013 with a talented group that includesTayah Pollock , [player_tooltip player_id='887022' first='Quinn' last='Sweeney'] , [player_tooltip player_id='826988' first='Lauren' last='Meaney'] ,  [player_tooltip player_id='518035' first='Hayden' last='Anderson'] , [player_tooltip player_id='805728' first='Honor' last='Hovenga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='825635' first='Elliot' last='Reed'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 4 Wapsie Valley makes it back to state for a second consecutive season and fourth time this decade after sweeping through the regionals in impressive fashion. The Warriors will look to advance past the tough 4-5 matchup with Holy Trinity with a solid roster that features [player_tooltip player_id='844754' first='Taylor' last='Schneider'], [player_tooltip player_id='837986' first='Sawyer' last='Buhr'], [player_tooltip player_id='776054' first='Espyn' last='Decker'], [player_tooltip player_id='902945' first='Tessa' last='Brunscheon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='739437' first='Emry' last='Shannon'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 5 Holy Trinity Catholic punched its ticket to state for the first time since 2024 and fourth time in the last five years. A successful lineup with veterans and impressive newcomers includes [player_tooltip player_id='493659' first='Adalyn' last='Kruse'] , [player_tooltip player_id='992682' first='Olivia' last='Bendlage'] , [player_tooltip player_id='790527' first='Kate' last='Pieper'] , Elizabeth Griffin and Brynn Denning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 6 Dunkerton returns to state a year after upsetting Holy Trinity in the regionals to get there. The Raiders rallied again, winning a five-set thriller in Wednesday's regional final against East Mills behind [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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 7 Gehlen Catholic won a challenging regional to advance to the state tournament for the first time ever. The Gaels are shooting for an extended stay in Coralville with the likes of Kenadee Sitzmann, Halle Walgenbach, Ella Ruhland, Addi Castle and Kora Bonderson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-No. 8 West Monona also finds itself at the state tournament for the first time in program history. The Spartans are tasked with facing top-seeded Ankeny Christian, a challenge accepted by a talented group that includes McKenna Baker, Georgia Jones, Kyra Gunter, Keirra Jones, Brynn Bellis and Brynn Stangel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->