Rubber match about survival for Lions, Cougars

They've got identical records. They've split their first two matches.

In the spirit of election season, this one is too close to call.

Ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy (27-11) visits Linn-Mar (27-11) in a Class 5A regional semifinal volleyball match Thursday. First serve is a 7 p.m.

Regionals resume in 3A, 4A and 5A throughout the state, with winners moving within one match of the state tournament. Regional finals in those three classes are Tuesday.

'It should be a great match,” Lions Coach Teresa Kehe said. 'It's our rubber match of the season.”

Linn-Mar outlasted Kennedy in a five-setter early in the season, then the Cougars turned the tables at the Mississippi Valley Conference tournament.

'Kennedy is a really aggressive team. They're very strong at the net, versatile in what they do,” Kehe said. 'We've got to find ways to score despite a size disadvantage. We have to run a quicker attack.

'I feel really good about our team. The kids have been working extremely hard and have developed some nice team chemistry.”

Six different Lions are averaging more than 1.5 kills per set, led by sophomore Ellie Anderson at 1.84. Anderson also distributes 4.91 assists per set.

The Lions earned a first-round bye; Kennedy swept Cedar Rapids Washington in a regional quarterfinal Monday.

In other 5A Metro/Iowa City action, No. 8 Iowa City High (22-10) hosts Burlington (15-12), Cedar Rapids Prairie (22-13) entertains Davenport West (9-18), Iowa City West (26-11) is at No. 10 Southeast Polk (30-9) and Cedar Rapids Jefferson (15-21) hosts Marshalltown. In 4A, Cedar Rapids Xavier (17-18) hosts Fairfield (21-13).

Two area matchups feature ranked opponents. In Class 4A, No. 3 Marion (31-7) hosts No. 12 Davenport Assumption (19-13). In 3A, No. 11 Union (22-11) faces No. 10 Osage (25-14) at home.

Marion is one of 10 teams from the star-studded Wamac Conference still standing. Among the top 4A contenders, second-rated West Delaware (41-2) hosts Western Dubuque (14-18) while No. 5 Clear Creek Amana (24-9) entertains Fort Madison (30-10).

The Wamac possesses three of the top four teams in 3A, and all of them are heavy favorites to advance Thursday. No. 1 Mount Vernon (29-7) hosts East Marshall (10-5), No. 2 Solon (28-8) hosts Northeast (16-14) and No. 4 Independence (33-7) hosts Waukon (16-21).

THURSDAY'S CLASS 5A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 3

Ames (18-22) at Ankeny Centennial (36-3)

Marshalltown (21-12) at Cedar Rapids Jefferson (15-21)

Region 4

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (27-11) at Linn-Mar (27-11)

Des Moines Roosevelt (21-26) at West Des Moines Dowling (35-5)

Region 5

Iowa City West (26-11) at Southeast Polk (30-9)

Ottumwa (17-17) at West Des Moines Valley (35-10)

Region 7

Burlington (15-12) at Iowa City High (22-10)

Davenport West (9-18) at Cedar Rapids Prairie (22-13)

THURSDAY'S CLASS 4A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 6

North Scott (10-20) at Dubuque Wahlert (14-19)

Western Dubuque (14-18) at West Delaware (41-2)

Region 7

Davenport North (3-20) at DeWitt Central (17-18)

Davenport Assumption (19-13) at Marion (31-7)

Region 8

Fairfield (21-13) at Cedar Rapids Xavier (17-18)

Fort Madison (30-10) at Clear Creek Amana (24-9)

THURSDAY'S CLASS 3A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 5

Osage (25-14) at Union (22-11)

Waukon (16-21) at Independence (33-7)

Region 6

Williamsburg (15-18) at North Polk (21-11)

East Marshall (10-15) at Mount Vernon (29-7)

Region 7

Center Point-Urbana (23-14) at Dyersville Beckman (21-15)

Northeast (16-14) at Solon (28-8)

Region 8

Mid-Prairie (14-16) at West Liberty (34-5)

Davis County (26-15) at Mediapolis (34-6)

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