Third meeting for Marion, Independence is for keeps

The Marion Indians have had those years in which they enjoyed a smooth path to the state volleyball tournament.

This isn't one of them.

'We knew we'd have to play somebody good this year,' Marion Coach Roxanne Paulsen said. 'Maybe it would be Center Point-Urbana or Independence.

'We didn't think it would be both of them.'

Still semi-fresh off a Wamac Conference tournament championship, the 11th-ranked Indians (26-13) hit the road for a Class 4A regional-semifinal match with No. 12 Independence (31-8). First serve is 7 p.m. Tuesday

It's the area headliner as the 5A, 4A and 3A tournaments reach the regional-semi stage. Marion is one of six Metro teams in action.

Also in 4A, No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier (29-9) hosts Mount Pleasant (13-18). In 5A, Cedar Rapids Kennedy (10-22) is at No. 4 Cedar Rapids Jefferson (37-6), and Cedar Rapids Prairie (20-15) is at No. 5 Linn-Mar (28-10).

Winners advance to the regional finals next Monday.

Marion and Independence split a pair of regular-season matches, with the Indians claiming the Wamac West Division match in five sets on Oct. 3.

'That was the last time we were fully healthy,' Paulsen said.

Since then, the Indians have been minus Randi Wright (shoulder tendinitis), whom Paulsen said is day-to-day, and may return Tuesday.

For most of the 4A and 5A teams that had first-round byes, Tuesday's matches will be their first in more than a week.

'That's a long time off,' Jefferson Coach Amy Norton said. 'We got a little rest, and we went back to basics, worked on fundamentals and had an intrasquad scrimmage. It's tough to keep them focused. They'll be ready to compete again.'

The J-Hawks have made a sharp incline this season; more than doubling their win output after an 18-18 campaign last year.

'They've really risen to the occasion,' Norton said. 'They understand the significance of this season.'

Among top-10 teams in the area, No. 7 CPU (31-10) hosts Clear Creek Amana (20-17) in a 4A match, with the winner facing the Marion-Indee survivor Monday.

In 3A, No. 4 Mount Vernon (25-10) hosts Benton Community, No. 8 Tipton (30-6) attempts to extend the winningest season in school history at home against Central Lee (16-15), and No. 9 Dyersville Beckman (29-12) entertains No. 14 Camanche (32-8).

Tuesday's Class 5A regional semifinals

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 4

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (10-22) at Cedar Rapids Jefferson (37-6)

Des Moines Roosevelt (29-18) at Johnston (12-16)

Region 5

Cedar Rapids Prairie (20-15) at Linn-Mar (28-10)

Ottumwa (19-19) at Waukee (25-20)

Region 7

Dubuque Senior (4-30) at Dubuque Hempstead (26-7)

Davenport North (12-11) at Iowa City West (21-15)

Region 8

Iowa City High (16-16) at Bettendorf (27-5)

Ankeny (22-13) at West Des Moines Dowling (32-9)

Tuesday's Class 4A regional semifinals

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 6

Clear Creek Amana (20-17) at Center Point-Urbana (31-10)

Marion (26-13) at Independence (31-8)

Region 7

Mount Pleasant (13-18) at Cedar Rapids Xavier (29-9)

Fairfield (24-8) at Fort Madison (24-7)

Region 8

Western Dubuque (22-13) at Dubuque Wahlert (17-9)

Clinton (19-12) at North Scott (23-8)

Tuesday's Class 3A regional semifinals

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

District 5

Waterloo Columbus (31-8) at West Delaware (25-19)

Oelwein (15-24) at New Hampton (28-9)

District 6

Benton Community (14-29) at Mount Vernon (25-10)

West Marshall (28-10) at Iowa Falls-Alden (29-5)

District 7

West Liberty (22-13) at Davenport Assumption (24-8)

Camanche (32-8) at Dyersville Beckman (29-12)

District 8

Central Lee (16-15) at Tipton (30-6)

Davis County (16-22) at Eddyville EBF (21-15)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com