Unflappable Springville Orioles seek state return

The Springville Orioles are a hard-boiled volleyball team.

"I have yet to see them crack," Coach Claude Howard said. "They're pretty calm under pressure. I don't think the big moments get to them."

That's how winners operate.

Third-ranked Springville (27-7) shoots for its second consecutive state-tournament berth Tuesday, when it faces Tri-Rivers Conference rival Easton Valley (19-10). First serve is 7 p.m. at Monticello High School.

That is one of five matchups involving area teams Tuesday. A pair of 1A teams — Starmont and Iowa Valley — seek their first state-volleyball bids. No. 15 Starmont (31-8) tangles with No. 6 Tripoli (16-18) at Dunkerton; No. 10 Iowa Valley (21-14) meets No. 5 Fort Madison Holy Trinity (34-3) at Washington, Iowa.

In Class 2A, No. 8 North Cedar (34-5) faces No. 12 Mediapolis (32-7) at Iowa City West, and West Branch (21-15) takes on No. 3 Sumner-Fredericksburg (32-5) at Center Point.

All winners advance to the state tournament next week at the U.S. Cellular Center.

The current crop of Springville players have experienced massive postseason success. Most of the key ingredients were part of two state-finals teams in basketball (including a 2016 1A championship), and were on last year's state-tournament volleyball squad.

'That helps a lot,' Howard said. 'This program has been successful for a long time, and these kids have been in a lot of big games. They understand what to do in this kind of situation.'

Like Springville, West Branch hopes to return to state for the second straight year (the Bears were 2A semifinalists last season). North Cedar, on the other hand, is seeking its first state voyage since 1997.

'We want to get there so bad,' setter Emily Hay said. 'We're going to fight for it. We have a lot of confidence and trust in each other.'

2A-7: WEST BRANCH (21-15) vs. No. 3 SUMNER-FREDERICKSBURG (32-5)

Time & site — 7 p.m., at Center Point

Overview — West Branch lost five starters from last year's state-semifinal team, but is peaking in the postseason. The Bears knocked off Iowa City Regina in four sets in the regional quarterfinals, then did the same to Wilton in the regional semis. Abby Knoop is the undisputed offensive target; she averages 4.54 kills per set. Last year's 2A state runner-up, Sumner-Fredericksburg has aspirations of going all the way. Jaydlin Seehase and Becca Pagel give the Cougars twin forces at the net with 4.16 and 3.78 kills per set, respectively.

2A-8: No. 8 NORTH CEDAR (34-5) vs. No. 12 MEDIAPOLIS (32-7)

Time & site — 7 p.m., at Iowa City West

Overview — North Cedar qualified for the state tournament in each of its first three years of existence (1995-97), but hasn't been back since. This is a good opportunity for the River Valley Conference champion, which sports a veteran lineup led by libero Taylor Kress, whose 6.74 digs per set leads Class 2A. Darby Hawtrey (4.25 kills per set) is the focal point of the Knights' offense. Mediapolis has owned the SEISC North Division for years, and this fall was no exception. Kara Brown averages 3.32 kills per set. North Cedar has had the tougher postseason road of the two, rallying from an early deficit to get past Tipton in four sets Thursday.

1A-6: No. 15 STARMONT (31-8) vs. No. 6 TRIPOLI (16-18)

Time & site — 7 p.m., at Dunkerton

Overview — This is a matchup between a team that has never qualified for state against one of the true bluebloods. Tripoli has been to state 17 times since 1998, including nine years in a row. That remarkable run includes 11 championships. Starmont takes aim with a sophomore-centric lineup that features hitter Hayley Goedken (3.22 kills per set, .364 kill efficiency) and setter Regan Janssen (8.83 assists per set). Don't be fooled by Tripoli's sub-.500 record; the Panthers always play up in competition. Only one 1A team (Janesville, twice) has beaten them this season.

1A-7: No. 3 SPRINGVILLE (27-7) vs. EASTON VALLEY (19-10)

Time & site — 7 p.m., at Monticello

Overview — These teams met in the semifinals of the Tri-Rivers Conference tournament Oct. 15, with Springville prevailing, 25-12, 25-19. The stakes are much higher this time, with the Orioles bidding for their third state appearance in four years. They're on a 12-match winning streak that includes sweeps in their first two postseason matches. Three Orioles average more than 2 kills per set, led by Rylee Menster (2.77). Easton Valley fought past Bellevue Marquette in a five-set regional quarterfinal, then swept Morning Star Academy in the most recent round.

1A-8: No. 10 IOWA VALLEY (21-14) vs. No. 5 FORT MADISON HOLY TRINITY (34-3)

Time & site — 7 p.m., at Washington, Iowa

Overview — Not only is Iowa Valley gunning for its first state appearance, the Tigers will try to become the first team from the current South Iowa Cedar League to qualify since Belle Plaine did so in 1995. They'll battle a program rich in tradition; Holy Trinity has been a Southeast Iowa small-school giant since its inception in 2005. The Crusaders are shooting for their seventh straight state appearance; they won the 1A title in 2014. Juniors Cherisse Ward and Caleigh Smith spearhead Iowa Valley's attack with 2.63 and 2.51 kills per set, respectively.

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