The field for the 2016 Iowa High School Volleyball State Tournament will be set in Class 2A after Regional Championship matches tonight (Tuesday, Nov. 1).


REGION 1: at Sioux City (East), 7:00 PM
Central Lyon versus Underwood

When the final IGHSAU volleyball rankings of the season came out, the No. 6. team in Class-2A was Central Lyon of Rock Rapids. A 3-1 win over Hinton (20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23) in the regional semifinals earned the Lions a match-up with Underwood for the right to advance to state. The Eagles advanced to the regional championship match with a 3-0 win at Missouri Valley (25-11, 25-13, 27-25).


REGION 2: at Manson (Manson-Northwest Webster), 7:00 PM
Unity Christian versus South Hamilton

The match-up features a pair of top-15 teams battling for the Region 2 championship. Second-ranked Unity Christian of Orange City put down Ridge View, 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-19) Thursday night, while the 14th-rated Hawks survived a five-set match against No. 13 South Central Calhoun (25-27, 19-25, 25-22, 26-24, 15-6).


REGION 3: at Emmetsburg, 7:00 PM
Western Christian versus Central Springs

As the No. 1 team in Class-2A, Western Christian of Hull is considered the favorite to win the 2016 state championship. Central Springs is the only obstacle left for the Wolfpack to conquer in their quest to extend the state record for number of tournament appearances to 34. Western Christian swept Boyden-Hull in the regional semfinals, 3-0 (25-13, 25-6, 25-16). Unranked Central Springs advanced with a 3-0 (28-26, 25-15, 25-13) over North Union.


REGION 4: at West Des Moines Valley, 7:00 PM
Tri-Center versus Grundy Center

For Grundy Center to get to state, the Spartans will have to dispose fifth-ranked Tri-Center on a neutral floor. With only one loss on the season, the Trojans appear to be the favorite to win the regional title, but Grundy Center has the experience of winning these types of matches. The Spartans are seeking their ninth trip to state (all since 2000), while Tri-Center's only state tournament appearance came in 1985. Grundy Center derailed No. 9 Woodward-Granger in a five-set thriller (25-16, 23-25, 15-25, 25-22, 16-14) at Woodward Thursday night, while Tri-Center advanced with a 3-1 win (25-16, 25-9, 22-25, 25-13) over Des Moines Christian.


REGION 5: at Creston, 7:00 PM
St. Albert versus Pella Christian

No. 7 St. Albert of Council Bluffs advance to the regional title match with a straight-set win over Treynor (25-22, 25-13, 25-17) in the semifinals, while Pella Christian ousted Central Decatur of Leon, 3-0 (25-12, 27-25, 25-13).


REGION 6: at Nashua (Nashua-Plainfield), 7:00 PM
Lake Mills versus Columbus Catholic

This match-up features a pair of top-10 teams battling on a neutral court and both advanced to the regional championship by shutting out their semifinal-round opponents. No. 4 Lake Mills topped South Winneshiek (25-14, 25-16, 25-12), while Columbus Catholic of Waterloo blanked Wapsie Valley (25-8, 25-23, 25-21). Lake Mills is seeking its seventh trip to state, while the Sailors are looking to qualify for a sixth time. Columbus last made it to state in 2008.


REGION 7: Center Point (Center Point-Urbana), 7:00 PM
Sumner-Fredericksburg versus West Branch

Motivation may be the only thing Sumner-Fredericksburg needs to get the fifth-ranked Cougars to state. After making the trip three-straight years, Sumner-Fredericksburg was denied the journey in 2015. The Cougars advanced to the regional final with a 3-0 win (25-12, 25-11, 25-12) over Bellevue at Manchester Thursday night, while West Branch knocked off Wilton, 3-1 (25-16, 19-25, 25-10, 25-22).


REGION 8: at Iowa City (West), 7:00 PM
North Cedar versus Mediapolis

No. 8 North Cedar defeated Tipton, 3-1 (14-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-20) in Thursday's regional semifinal, while No. 12 Mediapolis advanced with a 3-0 sweep of Pekin (25-10,25-15, 25-7).

 

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