Ranked foes Montezuma, North Tama collide in 1A regional semifinal

Channing Halstead had an inkling her team would be pretty good, and arranged her schedule accordingly.

'We played a lot more tournaments than we had in the past,” said Halstead, the volleyball coach at North Tama. 'We've played a lot of good competition, and we've responded.”

So the rise in competition across the net won't come as a shock when the Redhawks continue up the postseason ladder. Eighth-ranked North Tama (27-7) hosts No. 11 Montezuma (31-5) in a Class 1A regional semifinal Thursday at Traer.

First serve is 7 p.m.

It's definitely the plum of area regional semifinals in 1A and 2A. And it's the rematch of a close match played Sept. 2 at the North Tama Invitational, won by the Redhawks.

'As long as we control our side, hopefully we'll be OK,” Halstead said. 'They have more firepower than most of the teams we've seen.

Their middles are pretty tough.”

Montezuma's attack is led by junior Riley Gatton (3.55 kills per match). North Tama counters with the tandem of sophomore Katie Kopriva, whose 4.72 kills per set rank third in 1A, and junior Karly Jans (3.32).

Whichever team wins, it will play for the first state-tournament berth in volleyball on Tuesday.

No. 2 Springville (36-2) takes a 15-match winning streak into its home contest with Bellevue Marquette (18-12). The Orioles have swept all of their last 12 matches, and are two wins away from their third straight state tournament; they were semifinalists last year.

The Orioles' primary hitters - Mikayla Nachazel, Alyssa Jaeger, Rylee Menster and Samantha Johnson - exhibit uncanny balance, averaging 2.78, 2.26, 2.24 and 2.12 kills per set.

No. 4 Starmont (28-5) has won 10 in a row heading into its home match with Don Bosco (18-16). The Stars also are seeking a repeat visit to the U.S. Cellular Center.

In Class 2A, No. 11 Iowa City Regina (26-8) is the lone area ranked team. The Regals and No. 12 Wilton appear to be on a regional-final collision course, and both are favored to win Thursday. Regina hosts Van Buren (20-10).

East Buchanan (21-10) faces a giant regional-semifinal challenge, against No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (45-3) at Jesup.

THURSDAY'S CLASS 2A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 6

Central Springs (26-8) at Lake Mills (38-3)

South Winneshiek (17-13) at Wapsie Valley (18-13)

Region 7

East Buchanan (21-10) vs. Dike-New Hartford (45-3), at Jesup

North Cedar (22-15) vs. Bellevue (20-12), at Cascade

Region 8

Van Buren (20-10) at Iowa City Regina (26-8)

Mediapolis (13-20) at Wilton (33-5)

THURSDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 4

Montezuma (31-5) at North Tama (27-7)

Anita CAM (15-18) at Coon Rapids-Bayard (20-13)

Region 5

Lansing Kee (20-13) at Dunkerton (19-7)

North Iowa (18-15) at Tripoli (23-13)

Region 6

Don Bosco (18-16) at Starmont (28-5)

Easton Valley (11-14) at Iowa Valley (27-10)

Region 7

Winfield-Mount Union (14-18) at HLV (15-7)

Bellevue Marquette (18-12) at Springville (36-2)

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