Defending champs draw a tough opener

In this case, nobody's protecting the reigning champions.

Hit hard by graduation, then hit hard by a series of injuries, Solon starts its Class 3A volleyball title defense Monday at top-ranked West Liberty.

'You sure don't see that very often,” said Spartans Coach Peter Gustin, who guided the Spartans to the crown last season. 'But I think this will be a lot better match than it looks on paper.”

The postseason begins for all 64 Class 3A teams with regional quarterfinals Monday, as well as a partial schedule in 4A and 5A.

Solon (10-23) has battled a laundry list of maladies.

Grace Keith sustained an ankle injury in early September, and has been extremely limited since. Josey Hajek missed 11 matches with a concussion, returned, then sprained an ankle.

Gustin expects both of them back Monday, but the Spartans will be without Grace McCarty, who suffered a torn ACL.

'There have been a lot of matches in which we had zero varsity experience (from last year) on the floor,” Gustin said. 'But with (Keith) and Josey back, they do have confidence that we can play with West Liberty. They don't want to be sitting at home when the state tournament is going on.”

Solon has qualified for four straight state tournaments. West Liberty (32-4) is seeking its third trip in five years.

'(Comets setter) Cassedi Simon is so good in isolating one-on-one blocks for their hitters,” Gustin said. 'She creates tough matchups. They're a quick team, and she's an offensive setter.”

Even with the Spartans down this season, the area has been strong in 3A.

No. 5 Mount Vernon (23-12) - last year's runner-up - opens at home against Monticello (13-13). No. 6 Center Point-Urbana (28-7) hosts Williamsburg (10-20).

In 4A and 5A, three Metro/Iowa City teams will be in action (the others earned first-round byes). Cedar Rapids Xavier (13-21) hosts Vinton-Shellsburg (13-21) in 4A; Cedar Rapids Washington (3-30) is at Waterloo West (13-23) and Iowa City High (15-14) hosts Davenport West (7-20) in 5A.

Semifinals are Thursday in the larger three classes.

MONDAY'S CLASS 5A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 5

Des Moines North (1-13) at Des Moines Lincoln (19-25)

Region 6

Cedar Rapids Washington (3-30) at Waterloo West (13-23)

Region 7

Davenport West (7-20) at Iowa City High (15-14)

MONDAY'S CLASS 4A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 6

Vinton-Shellsburg (13-21) at Cedar Rapids Xavier (13-21)

Waterloo East (11-21) at Decorah (9-23)

Region 7

North Scott (3-24) at DeWitt Central (9-15)

Maquoketa (10-19) at Western Dubuque (20-11)

Region 8

Washington (6-21) at Clear Creek Amana (23-16)

Keokuk (4-23) at Mount Pleasant (11-20)

MONDAY'S CLASS 3A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 5

Aplington-Parkersburg (12-16) at Iowa Falls-Alden (22-13)

Hampton-Dumont (9-21) at Waterloo Columbus (17-14)

Crestwood (5-16) at Osage (23-7)

Waukon (6-26) at New Hampton (26-8)

Region 6

Williamsburg (10-20) at Center Point-Urbana (28-7)

Oelwein (12-21) at North Fayette Valley (13-15)

South Tama (3-22) at Union (23-13)

Benton Community (11-24) at East Marshall (8-18)

Region 7

Monticello (13-13) at Mount Vernon (23-12)

Dyersville Beckman (16-18) at Cascade (18-14)

Camanche (14-19) at Davenport Assumption (21-12)

Anamosa (2-23) at Northeast (9-18)

Region 8

Solon (10-23) at West Liberty (32-4)

Mid-Prairie (15-15) at Mediapolis (26-10)

Albia (9-14) at Centerville (26-6)

Central Lee (7-22) at Davis County (21-20)

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