Monday’s best: 4 area 2A, 1A Iowa high school volleyball first-round matches to watch (Oct. 20, 2025)

The area best team in action Monday? That’s easy.

It’s Springville.

Led by prolific middle attacker Rowan Jacobi (5.36 kills per set, .388 kill efficiency), the Class 1A 10th-ranked Orioles (23-12) lead the area parade as small-school regional volleyball takes off.

Easton Valley (1-26) is the opponent for a match that begins at 7 p.m.

OK, so that doesn’t figure to be a competitive match, and we’ll catch up with the Orioles more in-depth later. Here are four opening-night battles that warrant your attention:

Sigourney (12-9) at Eddyville EBF (13-17)

2A Region 6

This isn’t nearly the same EBF squad as last year, when the Rockets reached the 2A state championship match. Five starters have graduated, including the Shafer twins (now playing at UNI). Senior Lacey Taylor (3.98 kills per set) has assumed the role as go-to attacker. Sigourney tied for fourth in the South Iowa Cedar League but has dropped four of its last five matches. Junior Bailey Gretter leads the Savages in kills (2.28 per set) and digs (5.17). The victor plays at No. 11 Wapsie Valley (21-17) in Round 2 on Wednesday.

Elkader Central (15-19) at Turkey Valley (17-15)

1A Region 2

The newly expanded Upper Iowa Conference split into two divisions — “Large” and “Small” — and these were the top two teams in the Small Division. Turkey Valley finished 8-3 in all league matches; Central was 4-7. The Trojans swept the regular-season match and has won seven straight in this rivalry. Turkey Valley has won five straight matches against Iowa competition and owns a balanced attack (four players are between 99 and 159 kills). Central is similarly balanced. The task for the winner is a likely second-round trip to No. 15 Dunkerton.

BGM (11-9) at Hillcrest Academy (16-10)

1A Region 3

No. 3 North Tama is the heavy favorite in this region, and a date with the Redhawks (25-13) awaits this victor. Hillcrest won 20 matches last season and remains a competitive program. Niva Helmuth is the focal point of the Ravens’ attack, averaging 2.83 kills per set, and is second in digs (3.49 per set). BGM is guaranteed its first winning season since 2014, and the Bears’ best days probably are still ahead, with each of their top four attackers non-seniors, led by sophomore Emersyn Minnaert (2.33 kills per set).

English Valleys (11-14) at Keota (10-9)

1A Region 3

Another all-SICL first-rounder, with the victor heading to No. 13 Cedar Ridge Christian (19-10) on Wednesday. Keota won a pair of regular-season encounters with the Bears this season, including a four-setter in the league match, and the Eagles carry some momentum into the postseason with five wins in their last six matches. Sophomore Elyse Lyle leads their attack with 2.33 kills per set. English Valleys counters with multisport standout Ava Gehrking (3.15 kills per set).

* * * * *

Monday’s Class 2A regional first round

(7 p.m.)

Region 1

West Fork (9-9) at Belmond-Klemme (2-21)

Louisa-Muscatine (14-12) at Columbus Community (10-15)

Region 5

Postville (10-21) at MFL MarMac (14-22)

West Marshall (5-26) at East Marshall (12-26)

Region 6

Central Decatur (9-14) at Pleasantville (16-20)

Sigourney (12-9) at Eddyville EBF (13-17)

Region 8

Cardinal (7-22) at Danville (5-21)

Central Springs (5-26) at Nashua-Plainfield (9-14)

Monday’s Class 1A regional first round

(7 p.m.)

Region 2

Pekin (12-14) at Winfield-Mount Union (16-10)

WACO (6-17) at Burlington Notre Dame (30-7)

New London (1-19) at Wapello (23-11)

Clayton Ridge (2-21) at No. 15 Dunkerton (25-11)

Elkader Central (15-19) at Turkey Valley (17-15)

Lansing Kee (0-30) at Edgewood-Colesburg (21-16)

West Central (5-21) at Starmont (11-13)

Region 3

BGM (11-9) at Hillcrest Academy (16-10)

Twin Cedars (10-21) at North Mahaska (15-9)

Highland (4-22) at HLV-TC (13-11)

English Valleys (11-14) at Keota (10-9)

Lone Tree (0-25) at Montezuma (22-8)

Iowa Valley (6-23) at Belle Plaine (12-14)

Region 7

Meskwaki (4-16) at North Linn (6-21)

East Buchanan (3-27) at Don Bosco (18-15)

Valley Lutheran (0-21) at Garwin GMG (10-20)

Easton Valley (1-26) at No. 10 Springville (23-12)

Clinton Prince of Peace (7-19) at Calamus-Wheatland (11-17)

Central City (2-13) at North Cedar (21-11)

Bellevue Marquette (3-27) at Midland (13-17)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com