Tuesday’s best: Five area Iowa high school 5A, 4A and 3A volleyball regional quarterfinals to watch (Oct. 21, 2025)

Who’s hot?

For starters, Waukon. The Indians carry a 13-match winning streak into the volleyball postseason.

Anybody else?

Absolutely. Anamosa was a surprise champion at the River Valley Conference tournament last week.

So wouldn’t you know it? Waukon and Anamosa are first-round combatants as Class 3A regionals get underway Tuesday night.

New into the 3A rankings at No. 14, Anamosa (24-11) is one of four rateds in 3A Region 8, joining No. 9 Mount Vernon (20-15), No. 11 West Delaware (28-11) and No. 15 Tipton (23-5).

It’s a full slate in 3A, with all 64 teams in action. In addition, 32 of the 4A’s 48 teams get rolling, along with 16 of 40 in 5A.

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That includes Cedar Rapids Xavier, which begins pursuit of a 10th consecutive state-tournament appearance. The Saints open at home against Oskaloosa.

Here are five of Tuesday’s top matches that feature area teams:

Oskaloosa (4-25) at Cedar Rapids Xavier (13-15)

4A Region 1

The Saints are a long shot to extend their state-tournament streak. They have a good chance to reach the regional finals, but their opponent there is likely to be No. 1 Clear Creek Amana. Seniors Macie Lupkes (middle hitter) and Josie Smith (setter-turned-libero) are holdovers from last year’s state team. Lupkes is hitting .306 and averaging a team-high 2.96 kills per set. Osky has dropped 11 straight matches.

Monroe PCM (23-5) at Williamsburg (20-9)

3A Region 5

These teams collide for the first time since 2016, and it’s a matchup of two ascendant programs. Williamsburg is enjoying its winningest season since 2010. The Suhr sisters -- Clarissa is a junior; Kylee a sophomore -- are the Raiders’ top two hitters, combining for 5.33 kills per set. PCM has won five consecutive matches and has reached the 20-win mark for the first time since 2007. Remember PCM’s Libby Winters, who robbed the home run at the state softball tournament? She leads the Mustangs in 2.86 kills per set.

Fairfield (22-12) at West Liberty (24-17)

3A Region 7

These teams annually compete at the Williamsburg Invitational in early September, and West Liberty won a three-setter against Fairfield there this year. The Comets were co-champions of the River Valley Conference South Division (along with Mid-Prairie). Sophomore Madi Buysse paces West Liberty’s attack at 2.58 kills per set. Fairfield placed third in the Southeast Conference and is led offensively by juniors Natalie Steele and Leah Helmick.

North Fayette Valley (19-7) at No. 15 Tipton (23-5)

3A Region 8

Despite a championship in the Large Division of the Upper Iowa Conference (it was 11-0 in UIC play), North Fayette Valley will make a 117-mile trek to Cedar County for Round 1. The TigerHawks are a junior-dominated squad led by hitter Lila Moore and setter Lily Holthaus. Tipton has made a gigantic jump after posting a 9-21 record last season. One reason is the arrival of an elite young setter in freshman Zane Ehler (7.36 assists per set).

Waukon (26-6) at No. 14 Anamosa (24-11)

3A Region 8

Anamosa lost its top three hitters from last year’s breakthrough season, but the Blue Raiders haven’t plummeted. Senior setter Sophie Sander has a new crop of attackers, led by senior Olivia Miller (3.24 kills per set, .291 efficiency). Anamosa knocked off ranked foes Wilton and Mid-Prairie in the final two rounds of the RVC tournament. Waukon is two years removed from an 8-19 campaign, but has ascended quickly behind the hitting trio of Willa Troendle, Mariesa Gibbs and Blythe Bucknell.

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Tuesday’s Class 5A regional quarterfinals

(All matches 7 p.m.)

Region 2

Des Moines North (2-18) at Cedar Rapids Jefferson (8-27)

Region 5

Des Moines East (10-20) at Ottumwa (17-21)

Region 6

Des Moines Lincoln (4-20) at Marshalltown (14-19)

Region 7

Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson (4-23) at Des Moines Roosevelt (18-17)

Region 8

Cedar Rapids Washington (2-34) at Davenport North (7-23)

Tuesday’s Class 4A regional quarterfinals

(All matches 7 p.m.)

Region 1

Keokuk (6-24) at Mount Pleasant (21-14)

Oskaloosa (4-25) at Cedar Rapids Xavier (13-15)

Region 6

Fort Madison (13-20) at Burlington (28-12)

Decorah (11-14) at Independence (17-20)

Region 8

Clinton (14-15) at Central DeWitt (13-13)

Waterloo East (1-21) at Gilbert (17-13)

Tuesday’s Class 3A regional quarterfinals

(All matches 7 p.m.)

Region 2

Camanche (8-16) at No. 2 Davenport Assumption (22-7)

Central Lee (13-15) at Mediapolis (16-16)

Maquoketa (10-14) at Wilton (26-7)

Monticello (8-23) at No. 13 Dubuque Wahlert (15-16)

Region 5

Charles City (8-22) at No. 5 Humboldt (28-6)

Iowa Falls-Alden (15-15) at New Hampton (19-12)

Hampton-Dumont/CAL (4-22) at No. 10 Roland-Story (32-7)

Monroe PCM (23-5) at Williamsburg (20-9)

Region 7

Davis County (9-25) at No. 8 Mid-Prairie (27-9)

Fairfield (22-12) at West Liberty (24-17)

Vinton-Shellsburg (2-31) at No. 12 Center Point-Urbana (20-13)

Benton Community (11-24) at Washington (21-13)

Region 8

Alburnett (4-19) at No. 9 Mount Vernon (20-15)

North Fayette Valley (19-7) at No. 15 Tipton (23-5)

Oelwein (12-17) at No. 11 West Delaware (28-11)

Waukon (26-6) at No. 14 Anamosa (24-11)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com