October is here, so here’s an area volleyball conference call

This time next week, virtually all of the area conference volleyball races will be settled.

Welcome to October.

Iowa City Liberty has clinched a share of the MVC Mississippi Division crown, and can win it outright with a win at Iowa City West next Tuesday. Meanwhile, in the Valley Division, Cedar Falls is the champion.

The only other area teams to have a title in its possession are Union Community (NICL East Division) and Washington (Southeast Conference).

Here is a brief synopsis on the area races as they approach their crescendo:

Mississippi Valley

If not for Iowa City West’s upset loss to Cedar Rapids Xavier on Sept. 16, Tuesday’s showdown with Liberty would be for all of the Mississippi Division marbles.

As it is, Liberty (17-6, 5-0) has secured a title share. The Lightning win it outright with a win Tuesday. If West (16-4, 4-1) prevails, the Trojans and the Lightning are co-champions.

Cedar Falls (16-5, 6-0) owns the Valley Division title.

Wamac

Despite a 26-match winning streak, Clear Creek Amana (27-1, 4-0) has clinched nothing in the West Division. The Clippers travel to Grinnell on Tuesday for a winner-take-all proposition with the Tigers (11-11, 4-0).

Grinnell set up that showdown with a five-set win over Williamsburg next Tuesday.

In the East, a four-way tie for the lead was cut in half Tuesday. Now, it’s Solon (19-5, 3-1) and Mount Vernon (13-10, 3-1) in front.

Solon concludes divisional play next Tuesday at Independence; Mount Vernon faces a tricky test at Marion.

River Valley

Co-leaders of the North Division, Dyersville Beckman (19-5, 5-0) and Bellevue (15-5, 5-0) collide Thursday at Bellevue.

Beckman will be favored in that match. Win it, and the Blazers can wrap up the title Tuesday at home against reigning champion Anamosa (12-6, 4-1).

Mid-Prairie (18-5, 5-0) is in the driver’s seat in the South Division, but still faces two challenging matches: Thursday at Tipton (18-3, 3-2) and Tuesday at home against Iowa City Regina (12-10, 3-2).

Second-place West Liberty (17-10, 4-1) hosts Wilton (18-4, 3-2) on Thursday.

Tri-Rivers

Lisbon (21-5, 3-0) has owned the East Division in recent years, and hopes to secure another title with wins over Clinton Price of Peace (4-11, 2-0) and North Cedar (16-7, 2-0).

Springville (15-12, 3-0) is the West Division leader and has upcoming tests at Edgewood-Colesburg (13-11, 2-1) on Thursday and at home against Starmont (9-8, 2-1) on Tuesday.

Elsewhere ...

* Most South Iowa Cedar League teams still have four matches remaining. The key one is Thursday, when first-place Montezuma (18-8, 6-0) hosts HLV-TC (10-10, 5-1).

* Expansion has brought divisions to the Upper Iowa Conference this year. “Big Division” co-leaders New Hampton (10-8, 4-0) and North Fayette Valley (12-4, 4-0) play on the final night of the season, Oct. 16 at New Hampton. Turkey Valley (10-9, 3-1) is the “Small Division” leader.

* The North Iowa Cedar League schedule is complete, and Union Community (23-3, 4-0) is the East Division champion. Same story in the Southeast Conference: Washington (15-8, 5-0) owns the crown.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com