Iowa High School Volleyball Tournament Enters Quarterfinals!
Excitement Builds as Elite Teams Vie for State Title
Quarterfinals Set Stage for Intense Competition
The Iowa Class 5A state volleyball tournament has reached its highly anticipated quarterfinal stage, with eight elite teams remaining in contention for the coveted state championship. The quarterfinals, held at Xtream Arena in Coralville, promise to deliver thrilling matches as the competition intensifies.
Top-ranked Waukee will face off against Pleasant Valley, while second-seeded Cedar Rapids Xavier takes on fifth-seeded Ankeny Centennial. In other quarterfinal matchups, third-seeded Dowling Catholic meets sixth-seeded Iowa City Liberty, and fourth-seeded North Scott battles seventh-seeded Cedar Falls.
Waukee Aims to Continue Dominance
Waukee, the defending state champions, enter the quarterfinals as heavy favorites. The Warriors have won 25 consecutive matches this season and boast a roster loaded with talent, including Iowa commit Addison Burmeister and Creighton commit Ellie Blankenship.
Cedar Rapids Xavier Seeks Redemption
Cedar Rapids Xavier, the 2021 state champions, will be looking to avenge last year's quarterfinal loss to Waukee. The Saints are led by senior outside hitter Riley Kinoshita, who has recorded over 400 kills this season.
Dowling Catholic Eyes State Title
Dowling Catholic, a perennial state title contender, enters the quarterfinals with a 23-6 record. The Maroons are led by junior setter Mary Kate Amendt, who has dished out over 1,000 assists this season.
North Scott Aims to Upset the Favorites
North Scott, the lone unseeded team remaining in the tournament, will face a tough challenge against fourth-seeded Cedar Falls. The Lancers are led by senior outside hitter Kenna Sauer, who has over 300 kills this season.
Quarterfinals Preview: Key Matchups to Watch
- Waukee vs. Pleasant Valley: The top-ranked Warriors will face a talented Pleasant Valley team that is making its first state tournament appearance since 2019.
- Cedar Rapids Xavier vs. Ankeny Centennial: The Saints will look to avenge last year's quarterfinal loss to the Jaguars, who are making their second consecutive state tournament appearance.
- Dowling Catholic vs. Iowa City Liberty: The Maroons will face a tough test against Iowa City Liberty, which is making its first state tournament appearance since 2015.
- North Scott vs. Cedar Falls: The Lancers will look to pull off an upset against the fourth-seeded Tigers, who are making their seventh consecutive state tournament appearance.
Tournament Schedule and Live Streaming
The quarterfinals will be played on Tuesday, November 8th, at Xtream Arena in Coralville. All matches will be streamed live on the IHSAA website. The semifinals will be played on Wednesday, November 9th, with the championship match scheduled for Thursday, November 10th.
