Who Helped Lead Their Team To The Regional Final: 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's finally time for the regional championships in Iowa, and we'll finally see who gets to compete on the big stage. These girls have given it their all and are fighting tooth and nail to try to secure a spot in the State Tournament. Follow me on Instagram for updates on the Regional and State Tournaments: @Prepdigmarissa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Region 1</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Waukee Northwest vs. Waukee</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukee Northwest has done exactly what was expected of them and hasn't lost a match since early September. The Wolves are currently sitting at an 18-game winning streak and show no signs of slowing down. Waukee fought hard and took down Ames after a well-fought five-setter. Now they will go and have the fight of their season to try to earn their spot in the State Tournament. These two will be facing off at Waukee Northwest tonight at 7 o'clock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 2</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dallas Center- Grimes vs. Iowa City High</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa City High has been slowly proving themselves week after week, all for this match. The Hawks are ones you don't want to count out too soon because these girls know how to battle. IC High took down Southeast Polk last week with <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/hazel-schluckebier-2/" data-type="players" data-id="730426">[player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier']</a> leading the offense, [player_tooltip player_id='493658' first='Hattie' last='Galloway'] and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/megane-ngalula/" data-type="players" data-id="1055182">[player_tooltip player_id='1055182' first='Megane' last='Ngalula']</a> getting it done at the net, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/maeve-obermueller/" data-type="players" data-id="802825">[player_tooltip player_id='802825' first='Maeve' last='Obermueller']</a> taking care of the back row. DCG faced off against DSM Lincoln in the semifinals and wasted no time shutting them down. The Mustangs managed to give the Railsplitters only 18 points through the 3 sets. Dallas Center will be hosting Iowa City at 7 o'clock tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493658"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11fe9b0e74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='493658' first='Hattie' last='Galloway'] has been quite the unicorn of the Iowa City High program this season. Galloway has made a big shift this year and has been incredibly versatile offensively, terminating all across the net. Not only has she been scoring in the front row, but she's also been doing a great job of holding her own on defense as well. She moves exceptionally well for being as tall as she is. Galloway's numbers speak for themselves, and the senior is currently sitting at 318 kills, 70 blocks, and 260 digs. I am excited to see how Hattie competes against DCG tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 3</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Ankeny vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I said this earlier in the season and I'll say it again: if anyone could stop Waukee Northwest's reign of terror, it's going to be Ankeny or Dowling. Ankeny has shown all the qualities that'll be needed to take down the Wolves, and it's exactly what they've shown over the past few weeks. The Hawks are led by <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kellen-roush/" data-type="players" data-id="1046923">[player_tooltip player_id='1046923' first='Kellen' last='Roush']</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/quinn-roush-2/" data-type="players" data-id="992194">[player_tooltip player_id='992194' first='Quinn' last='Roush']</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/katelyn-mescher/" data-type="players" data-id="758787">[player_tooltip player_id='758787' first='Katelyn' last='Mescher']</a>, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/hailey-wiederin-2/" data-type="players" data-id="730419">[player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin']</a>. Cedar Rapids managed to take down 4A state champion North Scott in three sets. Although I think Ankeny is going to take this game pretty, I still think Cedar Rapids Kennedy could give them a good battle. If you want to catch these two amazing teams in action, they will be playing @Ankeny at 7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 4</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dowling Catholic vs. Indianola</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Ankeny, Dowling has all the tools to give them a fighting chance to take down Waukee Northwest. This group is fierce, gritty, and will do whatever it takes to get the job done. The Maroons started their postseason off strong and took care of Sioux City North in three short sets. Indianola also took care of business and finished Linn-Mar in three as well. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/gabby-sloan/" data-type="players" data-id="902434">[player_tooltip player_id='902434' first='Gabby' last='Sloan']</a> led the Indians in digs and aces; <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/madison-grover/" data-type="players" data-id="493609">[player_tooltip player_id='493609' first='Madison' last='Grover']</a> led in kills, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/julia-mcgraw/" data-type="players" data-id="902417">[player_tooltip player_id='902417' first='Julia' last='McGraw']</a> led in assists. Indianola will be traveling to face off against Dowling in the regional finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Region 5</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Iowa City West vs. Valley</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another game that, although Iowa City West is favored, Valley has a strong chance of coming out on top if they can stay level throughout the match. Valley came out a little rocky against Sioux City East in the semi finals and dropped the first set. However, they bounced right back and demolished them in the next three sets. That is exactly what they need against the Trojans. Iowa City West did their thing and handled Ottumwa with ease, with the closest set being 25-16. The highlight goes to <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/josephine-austen/" data-type="players" data-id="610472">[player_tooltip player_id='610472' first='Josie' last='Austen']</a> for leading the Trojans in blocks as well as aces. Iowa City West will be hosting Valley tonight at 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Region 6</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Ankeny Centennial vs. Bettendorf</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Iowa City West/ Valley, I can definitely Bettendorf coming out and taking this game from Ankeny Centennial. The B Bulldogs have had a new level of fight in them this season and have been really competing and showing how badly they want to compete on the big stage. Bettendorf managed to sweep Muscatine and is ready to put up a fight tonight. Ankeny Centennial also managed to sweep Council Bluffs Lincoln to not only secure their spot in the final, but they will also get the home-court advantage. I am excited to see how this match plays out and if you want to watch it they will be playing @Ankeny Centennial at 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771601"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11fe9b0ee9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='771601' first='Kaitlyn' last='Amman'] has been a fire starter for the Bulldogs not only from her big plays, but from the energy she brings the second she steps on the court. Amman is smart when it comes to her swings, and she does a great job of finding a way around her blockers to put the ball away. This sophomore has made a huge impact for Bettendorf this season and has no intention of slowing down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Region 7</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Johnston vs. Pleasant Valley</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnston made their way to the finals after taking down Prairie and managed to keep them from taking a set. Leaders included <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/cora-shaw/" data-type="players" data-id="831281">[player_tooltip player_id='831281' first='Cora' last='Shaw']</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/lila-shaw/" data-type="players" data-id="815861">[player_tooltip player_id='815861' first='Lila' last='Shaw']</a>, Genna Shaw, and Emily Swalley. Pleasant Valley shut down Dubuque Senior, which should come as a surprise to no one. Although the Spartans aren't ranked in the top five, I still think they can make that run in the state tournament. Pleasant Valley will be hosting Johnston tonight at 7 o'clock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Region 8</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Cedar Falls vs. Iowa City Liberty</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I hate to see this matchup because these were two teams that I really wanted to see compete in the state tournament. However, I think Cedar Falls will be sending Liberty home tonight, although they could pull out a win. Both of these teams made it to the finals after expected sweeps against Waterloo United and Dubuque Hempstead. The Bolts are led by <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/norah-willey-2/" data-type="players" data-id="851179">[player_tooltip player_id='851203' first='Norah' last='Willey']</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/sydney-van-heukelom-2/" data-type="players" data-id="493985">[player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom']</a>, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/edie-miller/" data-type="players" data-id="316419">[player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller']</a>. The Tigers are led by <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kinzie-clayton/" data-type="players" data-id="742408">[player_tooltip player_id='742408' first='Kinzie' last='Clayton']</a>, Grace Brenden, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kennedy-krecklow/" data-type="players" data-id="389853">[player_tooltip player_id='389853' first='Kennedy' last='Krecklow']</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781517"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11fe9b0f42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haddie Smith is an unreal athlete who you would never guess is a sophomore with the way she plays. Smith is the perfect mix of height, skill, and pure athleticism. Her dedication to the sport and growth as a volleyball player is unlike most kids in her class and in Iowa. She has continued to excel in every skill set and still has such a high ceiling to reach. She is probably the sophomore I am most excited to see how she continues to contribute and where she'll end up at the collegiate level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->