Postseason Volleyball
The 2024 state championship matches are now set after all five classes competed in the semifinal matchups yesterday. Here’s how it shook out.
Class 5A featured #1 Pleasant Valley besting #4 Dowling Catholic in straight sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-23) and the only five-set thriller of the day with #6 Waukee Northwest holding on to upset #2 Ankeny Centennial (25-21, 25-22, 16-25, 23-25, 18-16). The Jaguars had Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt go for 21 kills apiece in the loss. The Class 5A championship game will start off the day at 10 am.
#5 Pella defeated #8 Sergeant Bluff-Luton in a sweep (25-15, 25-14, 25-23) as three members of the Dutch collected double-digit kills to advance to the Class 4A championship match. #2 Bishop Heelan will meet Pella there after taking down #3 North Scott in straight sets (25-23, 26-24, 25-21). Maddie LaFleur directed the offense with 37 assists. The championship game will start at 12:15 pm.
Class 3A did not involve much fanfare as #1 Mt. Vernon sweep Wahlert Catholic (25-12, 25-19, 25-17) and #2 Western Christian took down West Delaware in straight sets (25-21, 25-21, 25-14). They will compete at 2:30 for the Class 3A championship bout.
Class 2A saw #1 Denver handle business against the #4-seed and last year’s champion Dike-New Hartford, winning in straight sets (25-12, 25-19, 26-24). #2 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont rode a historic 41-kill performance from Molly Shafer to down #3 Beckman Catholic in four sets (27-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19). Shafer’s 41 kills broke every class’ record for kills in a state tournament game. The Rockets and Cyclones will meet at 4:45 pm for the championship game.
Lastly, in Class 1A, #1 Ankeny Christian is one step closer to a three-peat after a dominating sweep of Riverside (25-12, 25-21, 25-18). The Eagles tabbed 12 aces as Katie Quick led the team with 13 kills.
On the bottom half of the bracket, #6 BCLUW won the battle of the Cinderella teams, beating #7 Janesville in straight sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-19). Grace Farnsworth wrecked havoc for the Comets with a match-high 15 kills. Ankeny Christian and BCLUW will play for the championship tonight at 7 pm in a rematch of last year’s semifinal matchup.
Postseason Football
In Class 2A, Mid-Prairie will take on PCM tomorrow, November 8th, at 7 on the road.
In Class 3A, #5 Mt. Vernon will travel to take on Algona tomorrow at 7 pm.
Southeast Iowa Playbook
Last night’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook was a highlight reel for the 2024 football and volleyball season for some of our local teams. One of our favorite moments of the season was the Mt. Pleasant football team kicking the game winning field goal against Fort Madison for their fourth win of the season.
If you missed last night’s episode, then follow this link: Recap Episode
Southeastern Community College
The volleyball team lost to Des Moines Area Community College in the Region 11 Quarterfinals in a five-set thriller last night (17-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 8-15). Kenna Furnald led the team with 17 kills, while Maddie Jones tabbed 45 assists. The Blackhawks finished the season with a 22-19 record.
College Football
Iowa will travel to UCLA tomorrow, November 8th, at 8:05 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the broadcast.
#17 Iowa State will look to get back in the win column against Kansas on the road on Saturday, November 9th, at 2:30 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.
College Basketball
The Iowa men’s team will stay at home to take on Southern tonight at 7 pm.
The #6 Iowa State men’s team will face off against Kansas City at home on Monday, November 11th, at 7 pm.
The #8 Iowa State women’s team will host Indiana State tonight at 6:30 pm.
The Iowa women’s team showed off the offense in a 91-73 victory over Northern Illinois last night. Lucy Olsen led the way with 19 points on the night to go along with seven assists. The Hawkeyes will travel to Virginia Tech on Sunday, November 10th, at 4:30 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1943 – The Detroit Lions and New York Giants play in the last scoreless tie in the NFL.
1989 – Baltimore Oriole Gregg Olson is the first relief pitcher to win AL Rookie of the Year.
2009 – Jerry Sloan became the first coach in NBA history with 1,000 wins for one team after the Utah Jazz defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder.