The North Iowa Cedar League Volleyball Tournament will begin Tuesday, with four first round and quarterfinal pods taking place around the league. The first matches will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by the consolation and quarterfinal rounds.
#5 (2A) South Hardin will host a pod, and will take on Oelwein in the first round. #6 (2A) Aplington-Parkersburg will take on #15 (2A) Jesup in the other first round match in Eldora.
“We always talk about how good the NICL is, and we love that challenge because that just makes us better as a team that night in and night out, we get to face the best competition in the state,” Aplington-Parkersburg coach Candace Kleespies says. “And playing Jesup first, their team got themselves into the top 15 last week and are playing some really good ball recently. And we’ve just got to come in and be very disciplined and do what we need to do and take care of our side of the net. And then hopefully get a shot at South Hardin again, which will would be a fun matchup after last year. I’m sure they come in wanting that matchup also, but no matter who we play, we’ve got to be ready to go because any team, any night in the NICL can come up and get you.”
The matches at South Hardin involving the Falcons and Tigers will air on 99 The Wave with coverage beginning at 4:50 p.m.
#4 (2A) Dike-New Hartford earned the first round bye, and will take on either AGWSR or Wapsie Valley, which will meet in the first round in Dike. Wolverine coach Diane Harms says the team is learning to execute gameplans to the highest level as the postseason nears.
“Hopefully we get some confidence, understand the importance of trying to stick to what our game plan was, and just keep moving forward with that confidence, that energy, just the excitement of the postseason right around the corner,” Harms says.
Due to only two matches happening in Dike, the opener between the Cougars and Warriors will begin at 6:00 p.m.
#11 (2A) Grundy Center will take on Hudson in a first round match at Union. The Knights will take on East Marshall in the first round.
#13 (2A) Sumner-Fredericksburg will host a first round match against Columbus Catholic. #1 (2A) Denver will face #15 (1A) Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the other first round match in Sumner.
The semifinals, finals, and other consolations will be held on Thursday, October 10 at four locations to be determined after Tuesday’s matches.
Candace Kleespies interview:
