Wolves, Tigers move on via forfeit

Originally, there were to be three Class 1A Regional playoff games played in Henry County on Monday night, but that all changed in the 48 hours before gametime.

While WACO's tournament opener against Sigourney was on as scheduled, both Winfield-Mt. Union and No. 11 New London had rare off nights. W-MU's opponent, Hillcrest Academy had to bow out due to COVID-related quarantining, as did New London's opponent, Moulton-Udell.

The Hillcrest Academy volleyball team only had seven players to begin with, so once a couple of players were quarantined, the Ravens had no choice. Hillcrest ended its volleyball season at 3-19.

According to Hillcrest Athletic Director Chris Nachtigall, the same quarantines that kept the volleyball team out will not effect school's participation in the cross-country qualifiers on Thursday.

The forfeit means W-MU will host No. 14 Notre Dame in tonight's regional quarterfinals. The winner of that game will take on the winner of the showdown between No. 8 Holy Trinity and Highland.

New London would have been heavily favored against 1-20 Moulton-Udell in their Region 5 opener, but the Tigers will have to settle for starting their postseason run against 7-13 Moravia. A win in that game would earn New London a date with either Lamoni or Melcher-Dallas in the semifinals.