Tipton-North Cedar headlines 2A regional semis

The North Cedar volleyball team has made a gradual, forward progression in recent years.

Regional semifinalists in 2014. Regional finalists in 2015.

And now?

'Hopefully we can take that last step this year,' Knights Coach Traci Smith said. 'The thing I really like about this team is that there isn't a selfish player on it. You can't say that every year. Everybody is really out for the greater good of the team.'

The eighth-ranked Knights (33-5) face a stiff Class 2A regional-semifinal challenge Thursday against youthful Tipton (25-9). First serve is 7 p.m. at Clarence.

It's the third meeting between the Knights and the Tigers this season. North Cedar won the first two, but needed a minor miracle last time, rallying from deficits of 10-4 and 13-9 to take the third set, 15-13, in the River Valley Conference tournament.

'They're going to battle,' Smith said of the Tigers, who are sophomore- and freshman-oriented. 'Hopefully this time we can turn it on right away and leave it on.'

While Tipton-North Cedar is the area headliner in 2A, a battle between Upper Iowa Conference rivals Starmont (30-8) and Edgewood-Colesburg (28-11) is the best area match in 1A.

No. 14 Ed-Co won two of three matches against the 15th-ranked Stars in the regular season, and the Vikings will host this one.

'The last time we played them, we were the least transparent of the three matches with them,' Ed-Co Coach Eileen Bergan said. 'We had great ball control, and they weren't able to read where we were going.

'We have four hitters who are all pretty even. We can kind of come at you from all directions.'

The Vikings won the UIC title in their final season. Ed-Co is returning to the Tri-Rivers Conference next year.

No. 3 Springville (26-7) is the other area ranked 1A team in action. The Orioles host Belle Plaine (18-10), which possesses sophomore Kenzie Mantz, whose 5.22 kills per set are second best in 1A.

'She's a beast,' Springville Coach Claude Howard said. 'They'll get the ball to her a ton. She's got a big swing.'

Thursday's winners play for state-tournament berths Monday.

THURSDAY'S CLASS 2A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 6

South Winneshiek (16-22) at Lake Mills (40-0)

Waterloo Columbus (25-12) at Wapsie Valley (19-14)

Region 7

Bellevue (16-10) at Sumner-Fredericksburg (31-5)

Wilton (32-5) vs. West Branch (20-15), at Wheatland

Region 8

Tipton (25-9) at North Cedar (33-5)

Pekin (12-17) at Mediapolis (31-7)

THURSDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All matches, 7 p.m.)

Region 6

Dunkerton (16-7) at Tripoli (15-18)

Starmont (30-8) at Edgewood-Colesburg (28-11)

Region 7

Belle Plaine (18-10) at Springville (26-7)

Morningstar Academy (20-2) at Easton Valley (18-10)

Region 8

New London (28-9) at Fort Madison Holy Trinity (33-3)

Iowa Valley (20-14) vs. Seymour (17-5), at Oskaloosa

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