Mike Condon

Led by Andrew Seifert, Warriors are hoping their tradition-rich program is back on track

Cedar Rapids Washington, Linn-Mar and Iowa City West among top area programs

No. 6 seed Gulf Coast answered every Kirkwood challenge, posting a 25-20, 25-13, 25-19 over the No. 3 seed in an NJCAA Division II volleyball quarterfinal at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse.

Even though Kirkwood was playing just a few miles from its campus, the jitters were there. The Eagles regrouped for a 22-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-12 win over Carl Sandburg in the first round of the NJCAA Division II tournament.

On Saturday, Iowa City High swimmer Grace Hoeper defended both of her freestyle sprint championships at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state meet at the Marshalltown YMCA's Linda Bloom Natatorium. Her titles in the 50 and 100-yard freestyles capped a career that saw her finish with five individual titles.

There is loud, then there is the experience known as a state meet at the Linda Bloom Natatorium, a part of the Marshalltown's YMCA-YWCA facility. The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state swimming and diving championships return to the facility for a 21st straight year this weekend.

City High’s Grace Hoeper and West’s Kamila Swanson will be among the favorites this weekend in Marshalltown

Iowa City High swimmer Grace Hoeper, who attends Solon and will swim collegiately at Indiana, elected to defend her two 2023 state titles. On Saturday, she won the 50-yard freestyle (23.34 seconds) and the 100 freestyle (50.95) and also swam the lead leg of the Little Hawks’ winning 200 freestyle relay.

Linn-Mar will host 1 of 6 regionals on Saturday

State volleyball, Class 1A semifinal: BCLUW made its state tournament debut last year, losing in the semifinals. Now the Comets are taking it at least one step further in 2024 thanks to a sweep of Janesville.

State volleyball, Class 2A semifinal: Dyersville Beckman was the unfortunate team to be on the other side of the net as Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont’s Molly Shafer put on one of the best individual offensive performances in state tournament history.

State volleyball, Class 3A semifinal: No. 2 Western Christian was in control from the jump, rolling to a sweep of West Delaware and yet another trip to a state championship match.

State volleyball, Class 4A semifinals: Sioux City Heelan dug out of a 9-0 hole in the third set to complete a sweep of North Scott.

State volleyball, Class 5A semifinal: Ankeny Centennial rallied to force a fifth set after dropping the first two, but defending state champion Waukee Northwest won it 18-16 to return to the title match.

State volleyball, Class 1A quarterfinal: Oakland Riverside rebounded to win the fourth and fifth sets after watching North Tama rally from 11 points down to win the third.