CEDAR RAPIDS — No Hollywood script, no magical ending for Schaller-Crestland.
Instead, it was more of the same. Small-school volleyball remains Tripoli’s domain.
The top-ranked Panthers cruised through the first two sets, held off No. 3 Schaller-Crestland at the end and repeated as Class 1A champions, 25-11, 25-13, 28-26, Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.
“We were clicking tonight,” said Tripoli’s Kalie Kirchhoff. “As long as we maintain our ball-control, we’re a very good team. When we’re on, we’re on.”
The Panthers (37-4) were on all week, sweeping all three of their matches.
As a …

CEDAR RAPIDS — There were some tense, riveting championship matches at the state volleyball tournament Saturday.
This wasn’t one of them.
Blame the Mount Vernon Mustangs. Or, more accurately, credit them.
Top-ranked Mount Vernon completely annihilated No. 7 Sheldon, 25-8, 25-14, 25-9, for the Class 2A title at the U.S. Cellular Center.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” said all-tournament captain Ali Stark. “It’s so nice to come back here and have things go our way.”
The Mustangs were 3A runners-up in 2007 and 2008. They were tight and tense in a five-set loss …

CEDAR FALLS — It promised to be a highly-competitive football game, but it played out differently than expected.
South Winneshiek and West Branch fielded two powerful offenses, but defense stole the show.
The Warriors’ defensive effort was slightly better, powering the ninth-ranked Warriors into their first ever state championship game after beating No. 3 West Branch, 14-7, in a Class 1A state semifinal Saturday at the UNI-Dome.
The Warriors advance to face No. 2 Council Bluffs St. Albert (13-0), which trounced No. 4 Prairie Valley, 49-21. The 1A championship game is Saturday, Nov. …

CEDAR RAPIDS — Waverly-Shell Rock crashed the coronation.
Playing its first five-set match of the season, the youthful Go-Hawks handled it like pros and shocked No. 1 Sioux City Heelan, 25-19, 15-25, 31-29, 20-25, 17-15, for the Class 3A state volleyball championship Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.
“We came in as the underdog, but we fought hard and it paid off for us,” said Morgan Kuhrt, the all-tournament captain.
And now the Go-Hawks look capable of a lengthy title reign. Kuhrt is a sophomore; so is setter Kinsey Caldwell. Rachel Peth …

CEDAR RAPIDS — It came down to this: Iowa City West couldn’t finish.
Three times, top-rated Ankeny sprinted by the No. 2 Women of Troy at the wire, and the Hawkettes retained the Class 4A volleyball crown, 25-21, 14-25, 26-24, 27-25, Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.
After it was over, Coach Kathy Bresnahan held her thumb and index finger together and told her team, “We were this close.”
No, they were closer.
Ankeny (39-1) overcame a 19-16 deficit in the opener, scoring six straight points. West (39-3) rolled in Game 2, then let …

Updated scores Saturday from the state volleyball championships:
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CLASS 4A
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Ankeny (39-1)                                                    25   14   26   27
Iowa City West (39-3)                                     21   25   24   25
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CLASS 3A
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Sioux City Heelan (52-6)                             19   25   29   25   15
Waverly-Shell Rock (47-5)                         25   15   31   20   17
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CLASS 2A
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Sheldon (38-3)                                                     8    15    9
Mount Vernon (43-1)                                      25   25   25
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CLASS 1A
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Schaller-Crestland (33-4)                              11   13   26
Tripoli (37-4)                                                      25   25   28
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State Volleyball Tournament