Jeff Linder

High school volleyball: 17 aces, balanced attack send No. 8 Marion past Gilbert in Class 4A regional semifinal.

High school cross country: Results from Thursday’s state-qualifying meets ... Iowa City and Oelwein in 2A, Arlington, Mason City, Ottumwa and Troy Mills in 1A.

High school volleyball: Area all-conference teams for 2025. Received so far: MVC Mississippi & Valley, Wamac East & West, River Valley North & South, Tri-Rivers East & West, South Iowa Cedar, plus all-Metro.

High school softball: Kelsey Kudej is hired at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Five Gazette-area 5A, 4A and 3A volleyball regional semifinals to watch Thursday. All four remaining teams in 3A Region 8 are ranked, and a 3A Region 7 showdown pits River Valley South Division co-champions Mid-Prairie and West Liberty.

Gazette-area Class 2A cross country runners compete Thursday in state-qualifying meets at Iowa City and Oelwein; 1A at Arlington, Mason City, Packwood and Troy Mills.

High school cross country: Results from Wednesday’s state-qualifying meets ... Iowa City and Pleasant Valley in 4A, Manchester, Pella and Williamsburg in 3A.

High school cross country: Liberty’s Keegan Decker heads back to state as a title hopeful, but won’t be going solo. Both of Iowa City High’s teams qualify (the girls were champions), along with the Liberty boys.

The Gazette sports writers Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss Iowa High School Football Week 8 results, upcoming matchups in Week 9 and games to watch.

High school football: Week 9 is a hybrid week with RPIs, district races and small-school playoff games. Here’s the skinny on all of it.

Five Gazette-area 2A and 1A volleyball regional quarterfinals to watch Wednesday. No. 3 North Tama begins pursuit of a sixth state-tournament appearance in nine years.

High school football: Who the ranked teams in The Gazette’s poll play in Week 9. Class 3A No. 4 West Delaware travels to No. 1 Clear Lake in a battle of unbeatens.

Class 3A regional volleyball: Right-side attack fuels Anamosa to first-round sweep of Waukon. Sophie Sander goes past 3,000 assists for her career.

What underdogs could bite home teams in postseason openers? Does parity reign in Class 5A? What changes would you like to see in the playoff system and to prevent forfeits?

Gazette-area Class 4A cross country runners compete Wednesday in state-qualifying meets at Iowa City and Pleasant Valley; 3A at Manchester, Pella and Williamsburg.