Capsules: Tuesday's regional finals

A glance at Tuesday's area regional-final volleyball matches: 

Class 5A: CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY (20-14) vs. No. 8 DUBUQUE HEMPSTEAD (33-5)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Dubuque Senior

Notable: It's a regional-final rematch from a year ago; Hempstead claimed that match, and has handled the Cougars twice this season -- in a divisional match and at the Dubuque Invitational. Kennedy earned the right at another shot by edging Clinton in five sets in the regional semifinals (15-11 in the fifth). Kennedy is a balanced bunch, with six players averaging at least 1 kill per game (Jadyn Gilson leads at 2.17). Hempstead is a veteran team, led by Lauren Streets (3.71 kills per set, .341 kill efficiency). The Mustangs are seeking their third straight state trip, the Cougars their fifth in six years. 

Class 5A: CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON (19-21) vs. No. 5 PLEASANT VALLEY (27-6)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Davenport Central

Notable: There's still a buzz about Jefferson's five-set upset of Iowa City West in the regional semifinals; Amanda Ollinger smacked 44 kills as the J-Hawks overcame two match points in Game 4 and a 10-4 deficit in the finale. Ollinger averaged 6.17 kills per game and owns a .375 kill efficiency. Jefferson has made remarkable strides in a season, improving from a 4-33 campaign in 2012. Sydney Strawser (3.64 kills per game) and Emma Whigham (3.46) are the chief threats for PV, the runner-up of a strong MAC and a 3-0 winner over Cedar Rapids Washington in the regional semifinals. 

Class 5A: IOWA CITY HIGH (20-13) vs. No. 4 URBANDALE (33-5)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Newton

Notable: The state runner-up each of the last two years, City High survived a five-set match in the regional semifinals, outlasting Southeast Polk 19-17 in the fifth set. The Little Hawks struggled somewhat early this season while Michaela Nelson was out with a concussion, but she's healthy now, averaging 4.27 kills per set. Freshman Alexa Aldrich Ingram adds 2.26 kills per game. Urbandale has five starters back from last year's state-tournament team, led by Kyla Inderski (4.26 kills per game, .343 kill efficiency). 

Class 4A: No. 3 WEST DELAWARE (36-5) vs. No. 5 CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER (28-10)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Dyersville

Notable: Without a doubt, the premier matchup in the area Tuesday, and probably a matchup that would be better suited inside the walls of the U.S. Cellular Center next week. Xavier captured its second straight MVC Valley Division title under first-year coach Krista Johnson and behind junior outside hitter Kayla Torson (3.86 kills per game). The champion of the Wamac Conference East Division, West Delaware is seeking its eighth state trip since 2003. The Hawks' strength, as per usual, is its floor defense. Emily Thole leads back there with 3.62 digs per game while Paige Soppe and Bridget Hoffmann pace a balanced front row. 

Class 4A: No. 10 MARION (25-15) vs. No. 7 DAVENPORT ASSUMPTION (30-6)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Tipton

Notable: Maybe Marion is a year away from doing some serious damage. Then again, maybe not. Don't be fooled by the Indians' record; 12 of their losses have come against ranked competition. Their top hitter (Alyssa Thomas) is a sophomore, their setter (Amanda Sahm) and libero (Abby Phillips) are juniors. Assumption made its first state voyage last year -- the Knights lost in the 3A quarterfinals -- and are gunning for two in a row.  Danielle Cabel is a top-flight hitter, averaging 4.36 kills per set and posting a .347 kill efficiency. 

Class 4A: No. 15 CLEAR CREEK AMANA (23-9) vs. No. 2 SOLON (30-2)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Cedar Rapids Washington

Notable: These teams played in the season opener Aug. 29, with Solon notching a three-game sweep. The Spartans are on a 13-match winning streak, surrendering just one set in that run, and are gunning for their third straight state-tournament appearance. They were Class 4A runners-up last year. Juniors Jordan Runge (3.37 kills per game) and Jordan Smith (3.17) are the chief offensive threats, with setter Taylor Nearad (9.29 assists per set) running the show. CCA is comprised primarily of sophomores and juniors and possesses a balanced attack led by Alyssa Weldon, Hanna Stokes and Natalie Brimeyer. 

Class 3A: No. 10 INDEPENDENCE (34-8) vs. No. 15 CENTER POINT-URBANA (33-9)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Vinton

Notable: The co-champions of the Wamac Conference West Division, these teams will fight for the last laugh -- and a state berth. Independence has been one of the feel-good stories of the area, turning a losing program around with a golden season that includes a four-game regular-season win at Center Point. Shelby Lehman averages 2.95 kills per game while Alyssa Hawkins notes 8.87 assists per set. Center Point-Urbana is the more veteran team; four of the top five hitters are seniors, including Kennedy Salow (2.33 kills per set, .295 kill efficiency). 

Class 3A: No. 8 MOUNT VERNON (24-10) vs. MEDIAPOLIS (34-8)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at West Liberty

Notable: Mount Vernon hasn't exactly taken a tumble since its run of 2007-10 produced four state finalists and two championships. The Mustangs have gotten to the regional finals three straight years since, advancing to the state semifinals last season. Nine of their 10 losses have come against 4A and 5A teams. Morgan Melchert averages 9.18 assists per set, and quite a few of those go in the direction of Hannah Whitley (2.85 kills per game, .338 kill rate). Mediapolis lost a lot of firepower from its 43-1, state-semifinal squad of 2012. Heidi Hillyard leads the Bullettes at 3.06 kills per game and a .401 kill efficiency. 

Class 3A: No. 4 UNION (26-7) vs. No. 11 IOWA FALLS-ALDEN (28-6)

Time and site: 7 p.m., at Hudson

Notable: Union is favored to reach the state tournament for the fourth consecutive year; the Knights were oh, so close to the 3A championship in 2012. They are on an 11-match winning streak, giving just only one set in that span. Senior Lauren Barz is one of the state's top setters, recording 10.10 assists per set. Maria Wrage is her primary weapon; the junior averages 3.82 kills per game and a .423 kill rate. Iowa Falls-Alden hasn't had a smooth road to the regional finals; the Cadets beat Osage in five games, then downed New Hampton in four. IFA was a state qualifier last year and is led by Kelsey Redmond (4.17 kills per game, .443 kill efficiency).