Monday’s best: 5 area Iowa volleyball regional matches to watch

For the last decade, Springville has been the shining light among area small-school volleyball programs.

The Orioles have made seven state-tournament appearances in the last nine years. But most of last year’s Class 1A state-semifinal team has moved on, as has Coach Claude Howard, now at Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Another postseason has arrived, and the top 1A hopefuls this year are North Tama (which has a first-round bye) and Edgewood-Colesburg, which opens Monday against Bellevue Marquette.

Here are five of Monday’s best area 2A and 1A regional first-round matches:

BGM (10-12) at HLV (14-17)

Class 1A Region 5

HLV has won nine in a row in this series, dating back to 2016. That includes a four-set win in regular-season play this season. Ema Roberts had 19 kills in that match, and the Warriors closed it out, 25-14, in Game 4. Roberts and teammate Mckenzie Kempf are second and third in the SICL in kills per set; BGM’s Karagyn Minnaert is fourth. The winner is likely to play at Gladbrook-Reinbeck in Round 2 on Wednesday.

Springville (11-21) at Central City (22-11)

Class 1A Region 7

The runner-up in the Tri-Rivers Conference West Division and a semifinalist in the league tournament, Central City has a legitimate shot at a state-tournament appearance. Springville has dominated this series lately, but the Wildcats broke through Sept. 26 with a sweep. Belle Whitson is the division leader in assists, and Bailee Weber and Macie Lupkes are 2-3 in kills. Springville’s Hannah March and Rowan Jacobi were starters on last year’s state-semifinal team.

Hillcrest Academy (10-13) at English Valleys (14-14)

Class 1A Region 7

These teams split a pair of matches during the regular season, with the Ravens winning 2-1 on Aug. 21, then the Bears claiming a 2-0 win Sept. 2. Hillcrest has made nice progress from a four-win season of 2022. English Valleys, meanwhile, can wrap up a .500-or-better season for the first time since going 12-12 in 2009. Kennedy Axmear, one of the area’s top all-around senior athletes, is second on the team in kills.

Highland (13-15) at Wapello (19-13)

Class 1A Region 7

Highland will try to avenge a straight-set regular-season loss to the Arrows (25-22, 25-17, 25-18) on Sept. 5, which was Wapello’s 10th straight win in the series. Wapello was the champion of the Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division at 8-0. Highland’s Sarah Burton has enjoyed much success in several sports, and leads the Huskies in kills at 2 per set. The victor, probably, will play at North Linn in Round 2.

Bellevue Marquette (5-17) at Edgewood-Colesburg (26-13)

Class 1A Region 8

At No. 14, Ed-Co is the lone area ranked team in action Monday. The Vikings are champions of the Tri-Rivers Conference West Division, then outlasted Lisbon for the Tri-Rivers tournament crown Saturday. Ed-Co has made giant strides since last year’s 16-20 campaign behind senior hitters Audrie Helmrichs and Marin Gaul, who combine for more than 6 kills per set. The Vikings are on track to host the first three rounds of the tournament.

Monday’s complete area schedule

CLASS 2A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 6

MFL MarMac at Cascade

Postville at Maquoketa Valley

Region 7

Alburnett at Columbus Community

Louisa-Muscatine at West Branch

CLASS 1A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

(All matches 7 p.m.)

Region 5

Paton-Churdan at Colo-Nesco

Montezuma at Sigourney

Baxter at Belle Plaine

Meskwaki at Gladbrook-Reinbeck

BGM at HLV

Collins-Maxwell at Garwin GMG

Tri-County at Lynnville-Sully

Region 6

Valley Lutheran at Elkader Central

Lansing Kee at Starmont

Nashua-Plainfield at Dunkerton

Clarksville at Saint Ansgar

Riceville at Turkey Valley

West Central at Waterloo Christian

Tripoli at North Butler

Region 7

Lone Tree at Keota

Springville at Central City

Iowa Valley at WACO

East Buchanan at Don Bosco

Hillcrest Acedemy at English Valleys

Cedar Valley Christian at North Linn

Highland at Wapello

Region 8

Moulton-Udell at Fort Madison Holy Trinity

Danville at Winfield-Mount Union

Pekin at Moravia

New London at Burlington Notre Dame

Marquette at Edgewood-Colesburg

Easton Valley at Clayton Ridge

Prince of Peace at Calamus-Wheatland

Midland at North Cedar

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com