Previews, Predictions: Class 5A 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, <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-5a-regional-brackets/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-5a-regional-brackets/">I wrote about players to watch and offered predictions</a> for the Class 5A Regionals. All of the teams picked to reach state advanced through the semifinals last night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While I'm going to stick with my eight for the state tournament, I wanted to take a closer look at who will be playing in Tuesday's regional finals. Here are thoughts on each match:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 8 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LIBERTY AT CEDAR FALLS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>The most intriguing Class 5A regional final is No. 8. Liberty travels to Cedar Falls for what should be a very competitive match. The MVC teams will be meeting for the first time this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong case can be made that the wrong team is hosting this match. Liberty is ranked higher according to Bound metrics. Location is based on the human element, who is ranked higher by the IHSGAU, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One notable difference between the two teams was the number of home matches. Cedar Falls has played 25, winning 20, while the Lightning had 11 contests in its gym. The Lightning's strength of schedule ranked fourth. The Tigers were 11th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be that as it may, Liberty is one of the most veteran teams in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'] and the rest of the squad won't be intimidated by the challenge. They'll be motivated by it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And make no mistake, Cedar Falls is worthy of hosting. The ranking difference isn't egregious, just open for debate. The Tigers boast high-end talent in [player_tooltip player_id='389853' first='Kennedy' last='Krecklow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='781517' first='Hadassah' last='Smith'] surrounded by productive role players in [player_tooltip player_id='754242' first='Piper' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='764299' first='Kenley' last='Mather'] and [player_tooltip player_id='742408' first='Kinzie' last='Clayton'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Liberty, 3-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 7 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JOHNSON AT PLEASANT VALLEY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> To the uninitiated, the higher numbered regions should be the most competitive, theoretically. It's the case this year where, like Liberty at Cedar Falls, it could be debated that the Johnston at Pleasant Valley matchup should be hosted by the program that will be on the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonnston even defeated Pleasant Valley, 2-0, in a head-to-head meeting on Oct. 3. The Dragons have faced the ninth toughest schedule, according to Bound, while PV checked in at 15. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Again, the IGHSAU rankings are not egregious and measuring teams with wildly varying schedules is challenging. No matter where this match was being played, it looks like one that could go either way and will be tightly contested.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'], [player_tooltip player_id='555746' first='Clare' last='Yeggy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493657' first='Addison' last='Allaman'] form an experienced, talented trio leading the way for the Spartans. Johnston leans heavily on veterans [player_tooltip player_id='546566' first='Tabitha' last='Molden'], [player_tooltip player_id='815861' first='Lila' last='Shaw'], [player_tooltip player_id='831281' first='Cora' last='Shaw'] and Genna Shaw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Pleasant Valley, 3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BETTENDORF AT ANKENY CENTENNIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> We're heading to the regions where the home teams are prohibitive favorites. In this matchup, it could be competitive if Bettendorf performs at its best level by being connected, which I've seen it do this year. It would also help if the Jaguars, which improved as the season advanced with new faces gelling with veteran faces in different roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In other words, the Bulldogs possess the potential with experienced student-athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='569671' first='Logan' last='Ramstack'], [player_tooltip player_id='1039026' first='Brielle' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='771601' first='Kaitlyn' last='Amman'], [player_tooltip player_id='949060' first='Reece' last='Harrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='952192' first='Beatrice' last='Shirley'] to push Centennial. If the Jaguars with [player_tooltip player_id='1039016' first='Madi' last='VanBruggen'], [player_tooltip player_id='758828' first='Sophia' last='Heither'], [player_tooltip player_id='747361' first='Sidney' last='Rogers'], [player_tooltip player_id='498069' first='Kaelyn' last='Rinehart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493608' first='Bailey' last='Snyder'] keep clicking in front of a raucous home crowd, it's going to be a tall task for Bettendorf.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Centennial, 3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 5 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WEST DES MOINES VALLEY AT IOWA CITY WEST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> To be clear, Iowa City West is the heavy favorite here. Its only two losses in over a month have been to Dowling Catholic. There's a 2-0 win against Valley in there as well as other impressive resume builders. [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Sophia' last='Austen'], [player_tooltip player_id='555736' first='Lila' last='Eastvold'], [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'], [player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte'], [player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='610472' first='Josie' last='Austen'] are clicking right now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would be wise for the Trojans not to take Valley lightly, however. The Tigers are the only in-state program to defeat No. 1 and defending state champion Waukee Northwest this season. [player_tooltip player_id='763526' first='Myla' last='Rude'], [player_tooltip player_id='443086' first='Brynn' last='Cibula'], [player_tooltip player_id='987629' first='Ryan' last='Connolly'], [player_tooltip player_id='991375' first='Olivia' last='Grubbs'] and Nani Bell lead a formidable group when it gets into a groove. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Iowa City West, 3-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 4 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>INDIANOLA AT DOWLING CATHOLIC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> The Top 4 teams in Class 5A this season have been fairly easily identified since early only. They're the No. 1 seeds in the next four regions and heavy, heavy favorites to reach state. Of the four, Dowling has the toughest draw in a dangerous Indianola program that won a regional final at Waukee last year in advancing to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493609' first='Madison' last='Grover'], [player_tooltip player_id='902417' first='Julia' last='McGraw'], [player_tooltip player_id='809649' first='Haley' last='New'], Emily Benge, [player_tooltip player_id='902403' first='Kennedie' last='Rumley'] and Indianola face a stiffer challenge this time around with a Maroon squad capable of winning it all. [player_tooltip player_id='730098' first='Caroline' last='Crane'], [player_tooltip player_id='500340' first='Kaylie' last='Klein'], [player_tooltip player_id='763850' first='Gianna' last='Stanfel'], [player_tooltip player_id='845755' first='Kennedy' last='Klein'], Audree Gerke and Dowling are the only team to win two sets from Waukee Northwest in CIML action this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Dowling Catholic, 3-0 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 3 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY AT ANKENY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Ankeny ended Kennedy's season with a 3-0 victory in last year's regional finals. While Kennedy has competed with well with good teams this season, including a win against Iowa City West, it hasn't been able to sustain that level of play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars will look to put it all together behind [player_tooltip player_id='901609' first='Hayden' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='525829' first='Addison' last='Phillips'], [player_tooltip player_id='555717' first='Kaycee' last='Cory'], [player_tooltip player_id='913911' first='Charley' last='Lovell'], [player_tooltip player_id='555707' first='Skyylan' last='Ousley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='987319' first='Addison' last='Stallman']. It will take a Herculean effort to overcome [player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'] , [player_tooltip player_id='555797' first='Marlee' last='Ellison'] , [player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson'] , [player_tooltip player_id='1046923' first='Kellen' last='Roush']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kellen-roush/"></a> , [player_tooltip player_id='992194' first='Quinn' last='Roush'] , [player_tooltip player_id='490016' first='Raquel' last='Risk'] , [player_tooltip player_id='758787' first='Katelyn' last='Mescher'] and the Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Ankeny, 3-0 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 2 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY HIGH AT DALLAS CENTER-GRIMES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Iowa City High has come up short against the state's top teams in an otherwise resurgent season for the program. That's not unusual. Superior rosters often win. It gets another crack at a giant here. In this one, that means the veteran core of [player_tooltip player_id='493658' first='Hattie' last='Galloway'], [player_tooltip player_id='805985' first='Kaitlin' last='Loria'] and [player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier'] must lift the Little Hawks to a level they've not reached in 2026 against an opponent flush with impact players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DCG looks locked in with a seasoned group of college-ready talent. [player_tooltip player_id='394331' first='Maggie' last='Leifker'], [player_tooltip player_id='766068' first='Madison' last='Messerly'], [player_tooltip player_id='730390' first='Ava' last='Smid'], [player_tooltip player_id='493973' first='Gwen' last='Farley'], [player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443085' first='Avery' last='Edgington'] are rolling after dispatching of Des Moines Lincoln, 25-4, 25-11, 25-3 in Tuesday's regional semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Dallas Center-Grimes, 3-0 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION 1 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WAUKEE AT WAUKEE NORTHWEST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Ok. So, this is a rivalry and weird things can happen. Emotions are high. And Waukee has plenty of potential thanks to a roster with high-end talent, including [player_tooltip player_id='443092' first='Malia' last='Rogers'], [player_tooltip player_id='443125' first='Liv' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='498752' first='Allie' last='Ruddy'] and Aubry Fineran-Zanders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The problem for the Warriors is what's on the other side of the net - the best team in the state. It's really hard to see a path where [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'], [player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig'], [player_tooltip player_id='490011' first='Leah' last='Janulewicz'], [player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes'], [player_tooltip player_id='555820' first='London' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='812248' first='Cassidy' last='Danburg'] and company come up short of the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Waukee Northwest, 3-0 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->