Shafer twins send EBF to a 2A state volleyball quarterfinal sweep of Regina

CORALVILLE — Sport to sport, season to season, the Shafer twins of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont are a unique pair.

“We have this weird connection,” Kate said. “We are each other’s rock.”

In the fall, it comes down to this: Kate sets, Molly swings and the Rockets roll.

Second-ranked EBF swept No. 8 Iowa City Regina, 25-23, 25-13, 25-19 in a Class 2A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday afternoon at Xtream Arena.

“We both used to be a setter and outside hitter,” Kate said. “I was a little better in setting, Molly was a little better at hitting ... ”

And now, they play to their strengths.

“We’re kind of a perfect combo,” Molly said.

The twins are headed to UNI to play volleyball, but they’re anything but volleyball specialists. They have pushed EBF to state-level prominence in basketball, track and softball, too.

Oh, what a shame it would have been had these two gone the specialization route.

“We’re a small school, so everybody plays everything,” Kate said. “It would be weird if we didn’t have a basketball game in the winter or a softball tournament in the summer. I think it makes us more well-rounded as athletes.”

Molly said, “We’re especially busy in the summer. We’ve got softball, volleyball ... and don’t forget marching band.”

Spoiler alert: EBF is the 2A No. 1 in The Gazette’s preseason girls’ basketball rankings.

First things first, though. EBF (35-2) advances to face No. 3 Dyersville Beckman (36-6) in the semifinal round at 4:25 Wednesday afternoon.

Regina closed its first state run in seven years at 24-15.

“Molly and Kate are two amazing players,” said Regina’s Reese Naeve, who concluded a stellar junior season with a 20-kill performance. “They’re so unpredictable.”

The first set was knotted at 22-22, but Molly Shafer notched three kills in a closing 3-1 run.

“We were right there with them in the first set,” Regina Coach Lauren Hansen said. “We didn’t serve quite aggressive enough to get them out of system, and they were hitting over our block.”

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Photos: Eddyville EBF vs. Iowa City Regina in Class 2A state volleyball quarterfinals

Led by Naeve, an Iowa State recruit, Regina returns five starters for 2025.

“We made a phenomenal jump this season,” Naeve said. “Our culture here is amazing. Next year is going to be even better.”

Eddyville EBF 3, Iowa City Regina 0

(25-23, 25-13, 25-19)

Class 2A State Quarterfinal, at Coralville

Serving: Regina 48-57 (.842), EBF 64-73 (.877)

Aces: Regina 1 (Addison Bollier), EBF 3 (three with 1)

Kills: Regina 30 (Reese Naeve 20), EBF 46 (Molly Shafer 21)

Assists: Regina 29 (Nora Wilhelm 26), EBF 45 (K. Shafer 32)

Blocks: Regina 5 (Adalee Klein 2), EBF 6 (Lanie Batterson 2)

Digs: Regina 34 (Bollier 10), EBF 48 (M. Shafer 18)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com