Regional volleyball pairings released

The postseason pairings for all area volleyball teams were announced on Thursday afternoon, and they feature a pair of matchups among area teams.

Columbus vs. Highland in Class 2A and Keota vs. Iowa Mennonite in Class 1A will guarantee at least two teams in the area moving on into the second round of action in postseason play, while the Class 3A and Class 4A matchups pose tough challenges.

In Class 4A, Washington volleyball (5-19) will take on Clear Creek-Amana (12-10) on the road in Tiffin in a matchup on Oct. 26. The winner of the match will advance to take on Marion (16-3) on Oct. 29.

In Class 3A action, Mid-Prairie (10-10) will hit the road to face Mediapolis (16-5) on Oct. 26, and with a victory would advance to see the winner of West Liberty (20-0) and Solon (5-10) in a game hosted at West Liberty.

In Class 2A, both area teams will square off against each other, as Highland hosts Columbus on Oct. 20, with the winner advancing to face Louisa-Muscatine.

Highland (14-8) owns the season series against Columbus (6-19) this year, with the Huskies winning both tournament matches (2-1, 2-0) between the pair. Highland and Columbus will square off in a best-of-five match on Tuesday, as they prepare for the postseason matchup.

In Class 1A, Keota (1-9) will travel to Kalona to face off against IMS (8-14) on Oct. 20, and the winner will take on Springville the next week.

WACO (6-14) will host English Valleys (2-15) in Wayland on the same night, with the winner moving on to face Burlington, Notre Dame or Winfield-Mt. Union.