Lions get their shot at the champs

Lance Kamaus wasn't prompted. He probably knew the question was coming."We know what's in front of us," the Lisbon High School volleyball coach said after the Lions swept Don Bosco in a Class 1A regional semifinal Friday.Here's what awaits: Talent. Tradition. Tripoli.Winner of 10 of the last 13 small-school state championships (and four in a row), third-ranked Tripoli (34-5) stands between Lisbon (24-11) and its first state berth.First serve is 7 p.m. Wednesday at West Delaware High School, Manchester."We understand, we're going to have to play really well," Kamaus said. "When we're playing well, it's because we're serving well. We hope to get them out of system enough to make a run at them."The state field will be determined after Wednesday's regional finals in 1A and 2A, a slate that includes four matches featuring area teams.In the other 1A match of note, Belle Plaine (22-8) meets No. 8 Bellevue Marquette (28-5) at Marion. In Class 2A, fourth-rated West Branch (35-4) faces Durant at Iowa City Regina while Edgewood-Colesburg (31-5) tangles with No. 12 Sumner-Fredericksburg (23-6) at Arlington.Lisbon has become a consistent winner under Kamaus. The Lions are in the regional final for the second time in three years. Tripoli is a the next level the Lions aspire to reach."We know they've been to the state tournament (a lot)," said Lisbon senior Alexa Moothart. "We'll be prepared for them, and we'll try to exploit their weaknesses."Like Lisbon, Edgewood-Colesburg and West Branch are in pursuit of their first trip to state. West Branch is a solid favorite over its Cedar Valley Conference rival.