Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The volleyball postseason got underway last week for teams across the state.

For teams in the Your Prep Sports area the playoff action really heats up this week with six area teams still chasing spots at the state tournament in Cedar Rapids that opens on November 12 at the US Cellular Center.

Here are five things to watch as area teams continue their postseason push.

History on the Horizon at Liberty High

Liberty High has already put together a season for the record books in its third year as a varsity program.

The Lightning have matched their win total from the first two varsity seasons combined, posting a 32-2 record while climbing to second in the Class 5A rankings.

A strong finish can turn this fall into a storybook season as Liberty High seeks its first ever trip to the state tournament.

Liberty High opens postseason play on Tuesday at home against Muscatine (6-17) in a Class 5A, Region 7 semifinal.

As the top-seed in Region 7 the Lightning have homecourt advantage and would host the winner of Tuesday’s other semifinal between No. 11 Dubuque Hempstead (19-13) and Linn-Mar (18-17) in the Region 7 final on November 4.

Liberty High swept both Dubuque Hempstead and Linn-Mar in regular season Mississippi Valley Conference matches.

Battle for the Spike Take II

The Spike won’t actually be on the line on Tuesday night in the playoff opener for both City High and West High but a spot in the 5A, Region 4 title game will be up for grabs when the cross-town rivals clash for the second time this season at City High.

No. 14 City High (16-14) swept West High (6-28) in the season opener for both teams back on August 27 at West High and is coming off solid showing at the MVC tournament where it went 3-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

West High has lost 17 in a row entering its postseason opener but can erase some of that sting with a win over its cross-town rival.

The winner will likely get a trip to sixth-ranked West Des Moines Dowling (30-11) for the Region 4 title game.

Don’t Sleep on CCA in Crowded 4A Region 7

Clear Creek Amana is no stranger to a playoff challenge.

Last season Clear Creek Amana pushed seventh-ranked Pella to the brink before falling in five sets in a 4A Regional final.

This year the Clippers face another stiff test in the postseason in the form of a crowded Region 7 field that features a trio of ranked teams in the final four.

No. 14 Clear Creek Amana (23-14) is in a good spot on the bottom half of the Region 7 bracket.

The Clippers host Clinton (12-22) on Tuesday in the semifinals while MVC rivals No. 7 Dubuque Wahlert (24-11) and No. 10 Western Dubuque (20-13) battle in the other semifinal.

Clear Creek Amana would be on the road again if it advances to the Regional final but proved last season it capable of playing with top-tier opponents and has a talented duo in sophomore Calia Clubb and junior Hailey Pollock that can give any opponent fits.

An RVC-Heavy Road For West Branch

West Branch (19-15) opens postseason play on Monday by hosting Alburnett (13-15) in a Class 2A, Region 8 quarterfinal.

If the Bears advance they will like be looking at an RVC filled road to a spot at the state tournament.

With a win on Tuesday West Branch would face the winner of Cascade (22-10) and Maquoketa Valley (14-14) on Thursday in Cascade.

Another RVC opponent, fourth-ranked Wilton (32-3) is like waiting in the Region 8 title match.

Repeat Watch

If you are interested in keeping an eye on last year’s state champions they are all still in action this week.

All five defending state champs from last season are ranking in the top 10 entering postseason play though just three defending champs are current ranked in the top three in their respective classes.

Defending 5A champion Ankeny Centennial is ranked ninth while defending 4A champion Dubuque Wahlert is seventh.

Western Christian is atop the 2A rankings after winning a state title last season while defending 3A champion Carroll Kuemper is second and defending 1A champion Janesville is third.

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