Prairie in position for a piece of the pie

It's been a while.

One championship drought has come to an end in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Another might.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy wrapped up a piece of the MVC Valley Division volleyball title Tuesday night with a sweep of Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Class 5A fifth-ranked Cougars (17-6 overall, 5-0 Valley) are co-champions for the first time since 2006 and will wear the crown solo if they do the expected and win at Dubuque Senior next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Cedar Rapids Prairie has put itself in its own championship position.

The third-rated Hawks (15-3, 3-1) forced a three-way tie atop the Mississippi Division on Tuesday by sweeping Iowa City High (8-10, 3-1) on the road, 25-23, 25-15, 25-23.

It was Prairie's first win over City High since 2008. And if the Hawks stay atop the division, it will be their first title since 2008.

'That was a big win for us,” said Prairie Coach Lynnette Stecklein. 'To know that we're that kind of a team, that we can compete, it was huge from a confidence standpoint.”

Prairie was able to overcome four-point deficits in the first and third sets.

'Both times we were able to make a move in the middle of the set, get it tied up, then win it at the end,” Stecklein said.

Kenzie Soeken and Kate Busswitz collected 10 kills apiece, and Busswitz (a UNI recruit) added six blocks. Kendra Gaskill posted 30 assists.

Prairie will be a solid favorite in both of its final two divisional matches. The Hawks host Waterloo West next Tuesday, then travel to Waterloo East on Oct. 13.

City High still travels to both Waterloo schools; Dubuque Hempstead (15-7, 3-1) still has matches remaining with Cedar Rapids Xavier (away) and Cedar Rapids Washington (home).

POSTSEASON PAIRINGS: THURSDAY'S THE DAY

IGHSAU assistant director Lisa Brinkmeyer has confirmed that the Union will release regional pairings Thursday afternoon.

Class 5A regional finals will be hosted this year by the remaining top seed in each region. In the other four classes, regional finals will be on neutral courts.

The postseason series begins Oct. 20 in classes 1A and 2A, Oct. 26 in the larger three classes. Regional finals are Nov. 3 (3A, 4A and 5A) and Nov. 4 (1A and 2A).

SPOILER ALERT: WESTSIDE'S LOADED

The Westside Invitational field has been released, and 17 of the 24 competing teams are ranked.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson will host the Westside on Oct. 10.

Headlining the field are West Des Moines Dowling (ranked No. 2 in Class 5A), West Delaware and Marion (Nos. 1 and 2 in 4A), West Liberty (No. 1 in 3A) and Dike-New Hartford (four-time defending state champion in 2A).

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