Benton-CCA, Bettendorf-West highlight Thursday’s 5A and 4A regional semifinals

Benton-CCA, Bettendorf-West highlight Thursday’s 5A and 4A regional volleyball semifinals

Clippers had to rally from 2-set deficit to defeat Bobcats in divisional match in September

Oct. 20, 2021 11:30 am, Updated: Oct. 20, 2021 6:36 pm

Benton Community’s Alyssa Tegeler (8) and Piper Nelson (10) jump up for a block attempt earlier this season. The Bobcats play at Clear Creek Amana in a Class 4A regional semifinal Thursday. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

The first encounter required an all-out comeback.

The second, from a Clear Creek Amana perspective, was drama-free.

And now? It’s all about survival.

“Beating a team three times isn’t easy,” CCA volleyball coach Jackie Clubb said in advance of Thursday’s Class 4A regional semifinal against Benton Community. “I’m glad we didn’t have to see them again at the Wamac (Conference) tournament.”

First serve between the 11th-ranked Clippers (27-11) and the No. 14 Bobcats (24-14) is 7 p.m. at Tiffin.

They were the top two teams in the Wamac West Division, with the Clippers rallying from a two-set deficit to win their divisional match Sept. 7.

It was easier for the Clippers at the Michelle Starcevich Invitational at Cedar Rapids Prairie on Oct. 2, 21-8, 21-11.

What to expect this time? Who knows?

“Hopefully we get our nerves settled and we can play our game,” Clubb said. “Both teams are going to want this match. Emotions and nerves will be pretty high.

“Benton’s got some really good players, especially (Alyssa) Tegeler and (Grace) Embretson.”

Tegeler averages 3.79 kills per set; Embretson is third on the team in kills in addition to her 7.29 assists per set.

CCA counters with Illinois State recruit Calia Clubb (3.48 kills per set), and sophomore Bliss Beck has blossomed into a nice second option.

The Benton-CCA match is one of two in the area matching a pair of ranked teams. The other is a 5A battle at Iowa City West between the 14th-rated Trojans (15-16) and No. 15 Bettendorf (16-13).

West handled the Bulldogs in straight sets at the MVC/MAC Challenge on Aug. 26.

The top-ranked teams in 5A and 4A both are local. Last year’s big-school state runner-up, Iowa City Liberty (32-4) kicks off a likely run back to the Alliant Energy PowerHouse with a home match with Cedar Rapids Washington (6-28), and Western Dubuque (29-3) welcomes Clinton (13-19).

Washington’s six wins are its most since 2017, and the Warriors have won three of their last four matches, including a sweep of Davenport North in a first-round match Tuesday.

Reigning 4A state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier (27-4), ranked No. 4, hosts Newton (7-24).