Mon - 09 Nov
Written by Jim Ecker
The Kennedy Cougars and Marion Indians face completely different challenges in the opening round of the state volleyball tournament Tuesday.
Kennedy knows all about Cedar Falls, its opponent in the first round, from their wars in the Mississippi Valley Conference and tournaments around eastern Iowa.
Marion, however, does not know a whole lot about Council Bluffs Lewis Central, its first-round opponent, because the two schools are located so far apart and rarely see each other.
The Cougars know their opponents on the other side of the net by their first names. The Indians know their opponents by their uniform numbers, which should make for an interesting dynamic when the tournament begins at the U.S. Cellular Center.
Kennedy (29-9) faces Cedar Falls (36-4) at 2 p.m. Tuesday on Court 2 in Class 5A. Marion (31-8) meets Lewis Central (32-5) at 6 p.m. Tuesday on Court 1 in Class 4A.
Kennedy is ranked No. 9 in Class 5A and Cedar Falls is ranked No. 3, so that makes the Cougars a slight underdog. Cedar Falls owned a 2-1 edge over Kennedy during the regular season, but the Cougars swept the Tigers in their only MVC match en route to a conference regular-season title. Cedar Falls beat Kennedy twice at the Osage tournament.
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