State Volleyball Preview: Red Oak set for showdown with Mount Vernon

The semifinals for all five classes will take place Thursday at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.

With the Red Oak Tigers back in the state semifinals for the first time since 2005, they look to continue their tournament run Thursday afternoon when they take on Mount Vernon. The match will be one of two 3A semifinals scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Red Oak reached the semifinal with its 3-0 win against Sioux Center Wednesday morning. They take on a Mount Vernon team that cruised to an opening round win Tuesday night against Union.

For the Tigers, Kate Walker had a big match for Red Oak, recording 15 kills in the Sioux Center win. For Mount Vernon, the player to watch is Emma Cochrane, who had 15 kills in the win versus Union.

Red Oak previously met Mount Vernon in the 3A quarterfinals in 2010 as Mount Vernon won 3-0.

The other semifinal in Class 3A features Solon versus Nevada. Solon defeated Iowa Falls-Alden 3-0, while Nevada defeated West Liberty 3-0.

Here is a full semifinal schedule for Thursday:

• Class 5A Semifinal: Bettendorf (37-0) vs. Johnston (38-6)- Court 1 at 10 a.m.
• Class 5A Semifinal: Ankeny Centennial (42-3) vs. Abraham Lincoln (40-13)- Court 2 at 10 a.m.
• Class 4A Semifinal: Harlan (39-2) vs. Clear Creek Amana (27-9)- Court 1 at Noon
• Class 4A Semifinal: West Delaware (44-2) vs. Marion (34-7)- Court 2 at Noon
• Class 3A Semifinal: Red Oak (34-7) vs. Mount Vernon (32-7)- Court 1 at 2 p.m.
• Class 3A Semifinal: Solon (31-8) vs. Nevada (38-9)- Court 2 at 2 p.m.
• Class 2A Semifinal: Unity Christian (32-5) vs. Dike-New Hartford (38-3)- Court 1 at 4 p.m.
• Class 2A Semifinal: Western Christian (43-2) vs. Sumner-Fredericksburg (31-2)- Court 2 at 4 p.m.
• Class 1A Semifinal: Holy Trinity Catholic (46-4) vs. Tripoli (27-13)- Court 1 at 6 p.m.
• Class 1A Semifinal: Janesville (25-11) vs. Central Lyon (37-3)- Court 2 at 6 p.m.