O's lead 1A hopefuls into regionals

Five years have passed since a Gazette-area small school has advanced to the state volleyball tournament.

That team was Springville. And it's the Orioles that have the best shot at breaking the drought.

The postseason volleyball series kicks off Tuesday with a nearly complete slate in Class 1A and a partial slate in 2A.

No. 11 Springville (26-10), which captured the Tri-Rivers Conference tournament championship Saturday, headlines the area 1A hopefuls. The Orioles, also winners of the Tri-Rivers West Division title, host Central City (4-17) in a first-round match at 7 p.m.

If form holds, the Orioles would face No. 12 Lisbon (24-7) in the second round next week; the Lions play Tri-Rivers East Division champion Midland (16-12) Tuesday.

Iowa Mennonite is the area's other ranked 1A team at No. 14. IMS (23-9) opens at Montezuma (7-14) on Tuesday.

The majority of the top 2A teams earned first-round byes and do not play until next week. That includes No. 11 West Branch (24-7). The River Valley Conference-champion Bears begin pursuit of a second straight state trip next Tuesday at home against Wapello or Pekin.

Regional play begins next Monday in 5A, 4A and 3A.

XAVIER, HEMPSTEAD SEEK SOLO TITLES

The Mississippi Valley Conference season concludes Tuesday, with Cedar Rapids Xavier and Dubuque Hempstead chasing sole division championships.

Both are heavily favored to do so.

Xavier (26-10 overall, 5-0 Valley Division) is at Dubuque Wahlert (12-20, 1-4) while Hempstead (31-5, 5-0 Mississippi Division) hosts Waterloo East (0-25, 0-5).