Iowa High School Volleyball Class 4A Regional Finals Tonight
The field for the 2016 Iowa High School Volleyball State Tournament will be set in Class 4A after tonight's (Oct. 31) Region Championship matches.
REGION 1: at Sioux City (Bishop Heelan), 7:00 PM
Bishop Heelan versus Webster City
Bishop Heelan of Sioux City was ranked No. 4 when the final IGHSAU high school volleyball rankings were released at the end of the regular season. The Crusaders beat LeMars 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-17) in the regional semifinals last week. Webster City advanced with a thrilling five-set win over Boone, beating the Toreadors 22-25, 34-32, 25-19, 23-25, 15-9).
REGION 2: at Council Bluffs (Lewis Central), 7:00 PM
Lewis Central versus Sergeant Bluff-Luton
A pair of top-10 rated teams battle for the right to advance to state. No. 7 Lewis Central advanced to the regional championship match by sweeping Harlan, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-15), while the 10th-rated Warriors shutout Carroll (25-11, 26-24, 25-10) in the semifinals Tuesday night.
REGION 3: at Pella, 7:00 PM
Pella versus Norwalk
As the top-rated team, Pella is considered the favorite to win the Class-4A state championship. To get to state, the Little Dutch must get past No. 11 Norwalk. Pella advanced to the regional final with a 3-1 victory (23-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-19) over Carlisle Tuesday night. The Warriors shutout Winterset, 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-13).
REGION 4: at Nevada, 7:00 PM
Nevada versus Dallas Center-Grimes
For Nevada to make it to state, the ninth-rated Cubs must avoid an upset by unranked Dallas Center-Grimes. Nevada moved into the Region 4 championship game with a thrilling 3-2 win (25-15, 25-14, 21-25, 21-25, 15-10) over Bondurant-Farrar in the semifinals Tuesday night. DC-G advanced with a 3-1 victory (20-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-17) at No. 13 Adel-Desoto-Minburn (ADM).
REGION 5: at Charles City, 7:00 PM
Charles City versus Waterloo East
Waterloo East can make history by upsetting the fifth-ranked Comets on their home floor. The Trojans would earned their first state tournament bid, despite an 11-25 record. East advanced to the regional championship match with a stunning five-set victory (10-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-12) at No. 12 and 2015 state tournament qualifier Waverly-Shell Rock Tuesday night. The Comets had a much-easier semifinal match, beating Mason City, 3-1 (25-18, 25-16, 25-8).
REGION 6: at Marion, 7:00 PM
Marion versus Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa heads to Marion with a goal of upsetting the third-ranked Indians. Both teams swept their way through the regional semfinals. Marion shutout Grinnell, 3-0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-14), while the Osky Indians blanked Mount Pleasant, 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-12).
REGION 7: at Dubuque Wahlert, 7:00 PM
Dubuque Wahlert versus Western Dubuque
Playing No. 2 Dubuque Wahlert is a tough test for any team, especially one that's unranked. Western Dubuque faces the perennial state power Golden Eagles on their home floor. Wahlert advanced to the regional championship with a 3-0 win (25-18, 25-13, 25-10) over Maquoketa, while the Bobcats needed five sets (25-20, 21-25, 25-18, 16-25, 16-14) to get past No. 14 Independence in an upset.
REGION 8: at Cedar Rapids Xavier, 7:00 PM
Cedar Rapids Xavier versus Clinton
Based on the rankings, this has the potential to be one the best regional championship matches in Class-4A. Cedar Rapids Xavier is ranked sixth, while Clinton is No. 8. Xavier moved into the regional final by sweepting Fort Madision, 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-16). The River Queens knocked off North Scott in straight sets, winning 25-23, 25-16, 26-24.