State Brackets Are Out, Who’s Going To Make A Big Impact In 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is FINALLY time for the most anticipated part of high school volleyball- the State Tournament. Teams battled through a long and tough season. Now, everyone is on the hunt for a state title. Let's take a look at the matchups for the 5A class and talk about some of the kids we can expect to make an impact on the big stage, as well as my first predictions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Waukee Northwest vs. #8 Pleasant Valley</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wukee Northwest has made it very clear all season that they want that 5A State title, and I think it's theirs. The Wolves started off the season looking very clean and powerful, and they've only gotten stronger throughout the fall. Pleasant Valley has shown some potential this season, but unfortunately, they have to face the Wolves in the first round. I think they can put up a good fight and give Waukee Northwest a run for their money however, I don't see the Spartans taking more than a set from the Wolves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493657"],"_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-6ae4144a4b075"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='790978' first='Addi' last='Allaman'] has been such a fun player to watch over the years. She is one of those players who truly changes a program for the better. Not only has she grown exceptionally as a player, but she has also become an amazing leader for the Spartans. She is a libero who will put her body on the line time and time again to keep her team alive. She is going to give it her all up until the very last point and I am excited to watch her go out with a bang.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Dowling Catholic vs. #5 Iowa City West</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have been extremely impressed with both of these teams this season, and I think this is going to be a very interesting matchup. Dowling has been fairly consistent all season long, and although IC West had some hiccups in the early season, they've been on a warpath over the last few weeks. This is definitely going to be one of the best first-round matchups, and although I think Dowling is going to take down Iowa City West, I think the Trojans are going to put up a fight and take them to 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["845755"],"_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-6ae4144a4b0d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='845755' first='Kennedy' last='Klein'] has been an unstoppable force for Dowling and has been a major contributor to the Maroon offense. Klein is a crafty hitter and knows how to move the ball around and utilize many different tools, which is exactly what they'll need to take down the Trojans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Dallas Center Grimes vs. #7 Cedar Falls</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Center-Grimes is another team that has had an outstanding season and is going into the tournament with a 33-2 record. Cedar Falls isn't too far behind with a 32-9 record this season and has the potential to come away with a win. The thing that has surprised me the most is that neither of these teams have had a lot of 5A competition, so I am excited to see how they compete not only against each other, but how the winner continues to compete in the semis. </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-6ae4144a4b121"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you haven't watched this kid play this season, you need to keep an eye out for her at this tournament. Smith is an absolute monster at the net and plays a big part in the Tigers' postseason success so far. The sophomore is resilient and dominant, especially when it comes to her blocking. She covers a lot of ground, hones in on her timing, and uses her explosiveness to shut down any and every hitter across the net. [player_tooltip player_id='781517' first='Hadassah' last='Smith'] is a name you will be hearing quite a bit throughout this tournament</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Ankeny vs. #6 Ankeny Centennial</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anyone who has been following my posts throughout the high school season knows that I am a huge Hawk fan this season. This team has been so much fun to watch throughout the season simply because of their cohesion and consistency in every aspect of the game. Ankeny is so fundamentally strong when it comes to their ball control, from their serve receive to their offensive ball placement. I said it recently, and I'll continue to stand by it: this group has the skill set, determination, grit, and connections needed to take down the Wolves, and I am really hoping we see those two in the finals. Ankeny Centennial has also had their fair share of amazing wins and highlights this season. If they can find a way to finish against the Hawks, I think they could manage to take a set or two, but ultimately I think Ankeny has this game in the bag.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730419"],"_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-6ae4144a4b16a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I think [player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'] does an amazing job of embodying exactly what the Ankeny program is made of. She is a fearless competitor and has an amazing mix of skill and pure athleticism. Wiederin knows how to play aggressively but still finds a way to leave little room for error. In a team full of stellar athletes, Hailey still manages to find a way to stand out while playing her role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">My 5A Predictions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1058144,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/5A-State-Tournament-Bracket.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1058144" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->