Mount Vernon, West Delaware poised to meet again

Shirley Ryan meant no offense.“I wasn't crazy about seeing West Delaware (in the final of the Westside Invitational on Saturday),” said Ryan, the volleyball coach at Mount Vernon. “I figured there would be a good chance we'd be seeing them again on Thursday.”A very good chance.Assuming neither stub their toes beforehand, Class 3A top-ranked Mount Vernon and No. 3 West Delaware ought to meet late Thursday night at the Wamac Conference tournament at Waterloo Columbus.The teams are on opposite sides of the eight-team championship bracket, determined by regular-season standings.Mount Vernon (32-0) was the East Division champion; West Delaware (32-2) the runner-up. Both of the Hawks' losses came to the Mustangs - once in league play, the other at the Westside.“West Delaware is as good a defensive team as you're going to see,” Ryan said.The tournament begins at 5 p.m., with the championship match slated to begin around 9. Mount Vernon opens against Clear Creek Amana.In other quarterfinals, No. 8 Solon takes on Marion, West Delaware draws No. 10 Williamsburg and West Division champ Columbus faces Western Dubuque.The other eight teams play in a consolation bracket at DeWitt.Mount Vernon has won 47 straight matches. The streak nearly ended in the Westside semifinals, but the Mustangs escaped with a three-set win over Iowa City West.“I'm not at all surprised that we got a little tentative,” Ryan said. “We just need to relax and play the way we can play.”

Iowa City teams headline MVCLet's get this straight:Dubuque Hempstead hosts the Mississippi Valley Conference tournament Saturday, but the event will be held at Dubuque Senior and Clarke College.Pool play begins at 9 a.m.Class 4A No. 2 Iowa City High (28-4) has wrapped up a share of the Mississippi Division title; No. 3 West (25-7) has done likewise in the Valley Division.“We'll be the top two seeds, but you never know. There are a lot of good teams,” said City High Coach Craig Pitcher. “(Cedar Rapids) Kennedy is younger, but they're still talented. Dubuque Wahlert is always good. If (Haley) Eckerman gets on a roll, she can carry Waterloo East.“We are starting to put the little pieces together. We've played pretty solid ball all year.”Six of the top 11 teams in 4A hail from the MVC. Kennedy (27-5) is No. 5, Cedar Rapids Xavier (25-8) is No. 7. East (26-7) and Linn-Mar (15-13) are 10th and 11th. Wahlert (19-7) is sixth in 3A.

Other conference tournaments* Regular-season champion Springville heads the 10-team Tri-Rivers Conference field Saturday at Cascade. The Orioles (21-8) went unbeaten in regular-season league play, winning three five-set matches.* Class 3A No. 2 Waverly-Shell Rock (39-1) is an overwhelming favorite at the Northeast Iowa Conference tournament Saturday at Cresco.