North Cedar, Montezuma among ranked teams in first-round regional volleyball action

In most cases, ranked volleyball teams in Class 1A and Class 2A have first-round regional byes and don't begin postseason play until next week.

Most cases, but not all.

North Cedar and Montezuma are among the minority. The Knights and the Bravettes kick it off Tuesday with first-rounders.

No. 13 North Cedar (20-15) entertains Alburnett (7-22) in a 2A match at 7 p.m. at Clarence. The Knights were co-champions of the River Valley Conference North Division. The winner plays at Lisbon (25-11) in the quarterfinals next Monday.

Senior Darby Hawtrey, a four-year standout for the Knights, is one of the top hitters in 2A. The senior averages 3.98 kills per set and owns a .320 kill efficiency.

Montezuma (29-5) is ranked No. 9 in 1A and opens at home against North Mahaska (13-15). The Bravettes are one of three South Iowa Cedar League teams in the 1A rankings; No. 10 Iowa Valley (26-10) and No. 12 HLV (14-7) start next week.

Regionals begin Wednesday in 3A, 4A and 5A.

Class 2A regional first round

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 5

Aplington-Parkersburg (6-22) at Hudson (16-15)

East Marshall (6-19) at Conrad BCLUW (20-15)

Colfax-Mingo (11-17) at Pella Christian (18-15)

Cardinal (8-21) at Sigourney (10-16)

Region 6

West Fork (10-9) at Saint Ansgar (9-12)

Belmond-Klemme (1-22) at Central Springs (24-8)

MFL MarMac (5-18) at Sumner-Fredericksburg (13-18)

Postville (0-22) at Nashua-Plainfield (11-19)

Region 7

North Linn (3-23) at East Buchanan (19-10)

Denver (15-17) at Jesup (19-13)

Alburnett (7-22) at North Cedar (20-15)

Clayton Ridge (18-16) at Cascade (15-18)

Region 8

West Branch (9-22) at Highland (10-14)

Columbus Community (5-25) at Danville (7-17)

Durant (13-20) at Wapello (20-11)

Louisa-Muscatine (4-22) at Mediapolis (11-20)

Class 1A regional first round

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 4

Collins-Maxwell (17-7) at Lynnville-Sully (16-12)

North Mahaska (13-15) at Montezuma (29-5)

Grand View Christian (21-20) at Melcher-Dallas (3-12)

Glidden-Ralston (5-10) at Coon Rapids-Bayard (18-13)

Exira-EHK (14-17) at Audubon (5-23)

Orient-Macksburg (2-14) at Ankeny Christian (9-16)

Region 5

Mason City Newman (10-13) at Clarksville (5-16)

Northwood-Kensett (6-19) at Riceville (9-17)

Turkey Valley (8-25) at Lansing Kee (18-13)

West Central (10-20) at North Butler (15-16)

West Hancock (3-27) at North Iowa (16-15)

Latimer CAL (1-23) at Rockford (12-14)

Region 6

Elkader Central (14-10) at Edgewood-Colesburg (16-14)

Don Bosco (16-16) at Central City (2-24)

Valley Lutheran (3-10) at Waterloo Christian (3-19)

Meskwaki (4-16) at BGM (3-24)

Cedar Valley Christian (15-12) at Midland (2-23)

Region 7

Tri-County (1-21) at English Valleys (11-14)

Keota (2-19) at Winfield-Mount Union (12-8)

WACO (7-18) at Iowa Mennonite (14-13)

Lone Tree (1-26) at Calamus-Wheatland (6-18)

Morningstar Academy (15-3) at Clinton Prince of Peace (0-22)

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