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The Rolling Valley Conference Volleyball All-Conference teams were announced on Wednesday. Here is a look at the selections.

1st Team

Ar-We-Va: Emilee Danner, Sara Schurke, Leslie Luft

Boyer Valley: Jessica Fokken

CAM: Madison Gettler, Shelby Stephenson

Coon Rapids-Bayard: Cassidy Baker, Katelyn Winnett

Glidden-Ralston: Hannah Whitver

Paton-Churdan: Megan Carey

2nd Team

Ar-We-Va: Jadeyn Smith

Boyer Valley: Katelyn Neilsen

CAM: Macy Ticknor

Coon Rapids-Bayard: Kristin Mahlberg

Exira-EHK: Leslie Caniglia

Glidden-Ralston: Emma Hannasch, Talia Schon

Paton-Churdan: Danielle Hoyle, Jenna Byers

West Harrison: Chloe Gilgen

Woodbine: Hailey Ryerson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford is having a monster season in a contract year with the latest highlight a three-sack performance last Sunday against Denver. Ford dealt with injuries early in his career, but the former first-round pick is finally showing his ability _ and it could cost the Chiefs dearly should they elect to keep him

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Longtime player and coach Bill Fischer, who spent more than seven decades in a pro baseball career interrupted by a stint in the Marines, died Tuesday. He was 88. The Royals announced Fischer’s death in a statement Wednesday. No cause was given.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Reliever Wily Peralta and the Kansas City Royals agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract, ensuring one of the few bright spots in the team’s shaky bullpen will be back next season. The deal includes a $2.25 million salary next year and a $7 million mutual option for 2020 with a $1 million buyout. The 29-year-old right-hander made a career-high 37 appearances last season, posting a 3.67 ERA and going 14 for 14 in save chances.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Coach Lisa Bluder has had plenty of good teams in her 18 seasons in charge at Iowa. This year’s group might end up being the best she’s ever had. The No. 13 Hawkeyes return six of their top seven scorers from a year ago, including NCAA scoring champion Megan Gustafson. And Kathleen Doyle and Tania Davis form one of the best backcourts in the Big Ten. Iowa opens the season against Oral Roberts on Nov. 9.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Coach Lisa Bluder has had plenty of good teams in her 18 seasons in charge at Iowa. This year’s group might end up being the best she’s ever had. The Hawkeyes, who are ranked 13th in The Associated Press women’s basketball preseason poll , return six of their top seven scorers from a year ago — including NCAA scoring champion Megan Gustafson (25.7 points per game). Guard Kathleen Doyle, a preseason All-Big Ten pick, will be joined by Tania Davis, who missed last season with a knee injury, to form one of the best backcourts in the Big Ten.

Iowa, which finished 24-8 a year ago and was upset by 11th-seeded Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, opens the season against Oral Roberts on Nov. 9. “It’s easy to be enthused about this group of women,” Bluder said. “They come every day to practice with great energy, with a positive attitude. They have a tremendous focus.”

The biggest reason the Hawkeyes are so excited for this season is the 6-foot-3 Gustafson, who also led the nation in shooting percentage (67.1) and made baskets (320). Snubbed by nearly every outlet for first-team All-America honors, Gustafson is primed to compete for national player of the year honors this winter. She is just 300 points shy of the school record and 89 rebounds from the team mark. She was the unanimous pick to repeat as the player of the year in the Big Ten.

Bluder said Gustafson might not be able to replicate her monster numbers from a year ago because she’s no longer a secret. “I think every coach in America is planning on how they’re going to control Megan,” Bluder said. “With that, the rest of our team is going to reap the benefits of that focus.”

Getting back Davis to pair with Doyle, who led the Big Ten in assists with 7.5 per conference game a year ago, should take some of the pressure off Gustafson in the paint. Davis, who has averaged 9.3 points a game and 3.9 assists in 68 career games, is coming off surgeries for torn ACLs in each knee in back-to-back seasons. “If you don’t double (team Gustafson), you’re going to give up 2s the entire game and she’s going to score 50 and we’re going to get 50 assists,” Davis said. “We’re fine with that.”

With Gustafson, Doyle and Davis expected to serve as Iowa’s so-called Big Three, Makenzie Meyer might be poised for a breakout season on the perimeter. Meyer, a 5-foot-9 junior and the 2016 Iowa Miss Basketball for Mason City, averaged 10.8 points a game last season with 51 3s and a 37.8 shooting percentage from beyond the arc. She also shot 91.2 percent from the line and dished out 111 assists. “She’s a sniper out there,” Doyle said.

Iowa has long been a competitive team in the Big Ten under Bluder, but greatness has eluded the Hawkeyes during her tenure. Just one of her 13 NCAA Tournament teams reached the Sweet Sixteen — and none beyond that. These Hawkeyes, whose goals are to win the Big Ten and reach at least the Elite Eight, could help cement Bluder’s legacy. “I have unbelievable confidence in them. I believe this team can be very good,” she said. “We’re challenging ourselves, there’s no doubt about it.”

The 2018 State Volleyball Tournament will begin next week at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. Quarterfinal round matches will be contested on Tuesday, November 6th and Wednesday, November 7th. Follow the link to see all the pairings, brackets, and times for all classes.

2018 State Volleyball Pairings

Class 1A, District 9 – Final Standings

*#Treynor            5-0            8-2
Underwood         3-2            5-4
East Sac County   3-2            5-4
Missouri Valley     3-2            5-4
Cherokee             1-4            2-7
MVAO/COU         0-5            1-8
*2018 District Champion, Playoff Qualifier.
# 2018 State Playoff Qualifier.

Class 1A, D-9 All-District Honors

Offensive Player of the Year: Garret Bruce, East Sac County.
Defensive Player of the Year: Kyle Christensen, Treynor.
Special Teams Player of the Year: Luke Mieska, Treynor.
Punter of the Year: Aaron Michael, MVAO/COU.
Placekicker of the Year: Luke Mieska, Treynor.
Lineman of the Year: Brandon Clair, East Sac County.
Coach of the Year: Jeff Casey, Treynor.
Assistant Coaches of the Year: Mike Nixon, Cherokee; Tim Richard, Underwood.

First Team

Treynor: Kyle Christensen (Sr.); Jake Fisher (Jr.); Chase Reber (Jr.); Will Halverson (Jr.); Austin Kulesa (Sr.); Brock Fox (Jr.).

Underwood: Nick Ravlin (Jr.); Jalen Humphries (Sr.); Connor Ryan (Sr.); Kyler Rodenburg (Sr.).

East Sac County: Garret Bruce (Sr.); Brandon Clair (Sr.); Quintin Ludwig (Jr.); Nick Gerdes (Jr.).

Missouri Valley: Duke Kyle (Sr.); Connor Lange (Sr.); Nick Haynes (Jr.); Arron Olson (Sr.).

Cherokee: Mason Goebel (Sr.); Trevor Lundquist (Jr.); Alex Paulsrud (Jr.)

MVAO/COU: Bryce Kafton (Sr.); Haden Kuhl (Sr.),

Second Team

Treynor: Kristian Martens (Jr.); Ben Boese (Jr.); Broc Livengood (Sr.).

Underwood: Landon Nelson (Jr.); Easton Eledge (Fr.); Blake Hall (Soph.).

East Sac County: Mason Drost (Sr.); Reece Potthoff (Jr.); Derek Aschinger (Jr.).

Missouri Valley: Steven Murray (Sr.); Jed Kyle (Jr.); Quinten Vogel (Sr.).

Cherokee: Cael Diggs (Sr.); Treighton Schubert (Sr.), Kobe Grell (Jr.).

MVAO/COU: Calvin Ferris (Sr.); Ely Fundermann (Sr.); Brecken Hayes (Sr.)

Area Academic All-District (must be junior, senior, maintain 3.25 grade point average. Includes players, managers, and cheerleaders).

MV Big Reds: Connor Lange, Colby Tierney, Steven Murray, Jon Johnson, Abigail Olson, Penelope Veatch, Megan Gschwend, Kimberlyn Christensen, Julia Janssen, Maddy Lager.

MVAO/COU Rams: Haden Kuhl, Aaron Michael, Bryce Kafton, Zak Scott, Blake Paulson

Class A, District 10 – Final Standings

*#Westwood       5-0            8-2
Tri-Center            3-2            6-3
Lawton-Bronson  3-2            5-4
Woodbury Cntrl   3-2            5-4
West Monona      1-4            4-5
Logan-Magnolia  0-5            1-8
*2018 District Champion, Playoff Qualifier.
# 2018 State Playoff Qualifier.

2018 All-District Honors

District Offensive MVP:Sean Westergaard, Westwood.
District Defensive MVP: Wade Mitchell, Woodbury Central.
District Lineman of the Year:Jonah Kohlbaum, Lawton-Bronson.
All-District Specialists:Ethan Copeland, Woodbury Central.
All-District Punter:Sam Miller, Westwood.
All-District Kicker:Gaven Heim, Tri-Center.
Coach of the Year:Cass Burkhart, Westwood.
Assistant Coaches of the Year:Don Jorgensen, Westwood; Joe Melton, Lawton-Bronson. 

First Team

Westwood:Trenton Dirks (OL), Sean Westergaard (QB), Braulio Munoz (RB), Sam Miller (DB), Carter Copple (LB), Harrison East (OL), Steven Baker (LB).

Lawton-Bronson:Jonah Kohlbaum (DL), Cody Feddersen (OL), Trey Boschen (DB); Hayden Dahlhauser (LB), Jacob Rader (OL).

Tri-Center:Bryant Barrier (LB), Bryson Freeberg (QB), Jake Manhart (LB), Wyatt Andersen (WR), Cole Wehrli (DE).

Woodbury Central:Wade Mitchell (LB), Mitchell Countryman (DB/LB), Garret Arment (QB), Matt Carney (DB), Ethan Copeland (WR).

West Monona:Dylan Collison (RB), Sean Pinkleman (RB), Darius Gash (LB).

Logan-Magnolia:Beau Peschel (OL), Wyatt Wohlers (RB).

Second Team

Westwood:Francisco Rohner (DB), Eddie Dandurand (OL).

Lawton-Bronson:Josh Wingert (DB), Cade Pedersen (S).

Tri-Center:Conner Holben (DE), Trevor Carlson (RB).

Woodbury Central:Jim Moss (OL), Jacob Kuntz (LB/WR).

West Monona:Casey McMinnamen (QB), Calvin Coffman (S).

Logan-Magnolia:Matt Soetmelk (TE), Austin Zaiser (DL).

Honorable Mention

Westwood:Zach Adams (DL), Ben Brekke (LB).

Lawton-Bronson:Hasten Michaels (DB), Rico Garcia (LB).

Tri-Center: Trevor Nelson (WR), Alex Ausdemore (OL).

Woodbury Central:Nathan Lister (DL), Matt Carley (OL).

West Monona: Josh Heather (RB), Wesley Hanson (LB).

Logan-Magnolia:Chase Maguire (DE), Barret Pitt (DL).

Academic All-District (Must be junior or senior, maintain a 3.25 grade point average) – (Includes football players, managers, cheerleaders)

Westwood:Carter Copple, Braulio Munoz, Steven Heilman, Harrison East, Sean Westergaard, Guadalupe Munoz, Carah Drees, Kaylee Schmits, Samantha Burkhart, Kalie Stanfield.

Lawton-Bronson:None selected.

Tri-Center:Bryson Freeberg, Cole Wehrli, Kyle Siebels, Wyatt Andersen, Riley Redinbaugh, Emmett White, Kaleb Smith, Connor Attkinson, Chaeli Moir,

Woodbury Central:Mitchell Countryman, Jase Manker, Wade Mitchell, Shawn Archer, Cane Schmitt, Garrett Arment, Brackett Locke, Jacob Steffen, Charlie Polkinghorn, Jakob Schulz, Brayden Sanford, John Groetken, Hunter Koehn, Ethan Copeland.

West Monona:Dylan Collison, Brandon Coble, Logan Feige, Dylan Stroman, Saskia Van Leeuwen.

Logan-Magnolia:Chase Maguire, Isaac Maurice, Brandon Nelson, Beau Peschel, Andrew Skeen, Matt Soetmelk, Josh Stueve, Wyatt Wohlers, Weston Worley, Chase Bucksbee, Dylan Cunard, Colton Hanlon, Tanner Mace, Gabe Walski, Gracie Maguire, Elizabeth Roden, Isabelle Alvis, Hannah Gochenour, Alivia Hedger, Kaitlyn Morrison, Taylor Sporrer.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

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Class 1A

Region 1: (3-0) Gehlen Catholic 25-25-25, Westwood, Sloan 16-13-20
Region 2: (3-1) East Mills 25-20-25-25, Fremont-Mills 13-25-23-15
Region 3: (3-1) Gladbrook-Reinbeck 25-18-25-25, Ar-We-Va 15-25-19-22
Region 8: (3-0) Holy Trinity Catholic 25-25-25, East Union 10-11-5

Class 2A

Region 3: (3-2) Treynor 25-26-25-21-15, St. Albert, Council Bluffs 23-28-15-25-12
Region 4: (3-0) Tri-Center, Neola 25-25-25, BCLUW, Conrad 22-14-17
Region 5: (3-0) Sidney 25-25-25, Pella Christian 11-6-11

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — No. 19 Iowa’s hopes of a run at a playoff spot were dashed last weekend in a late loss at Penn State. The Hawkeyes can still win the Big Ten West if they win out and if Wisconsin loses one more time. The Hawkeyes have a daunting road ahead, starting with Saturday’s visit to Purdue. That is followed by a home game against division-leading Northwestern.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State freshman quarterback Brock Purdy has played so well so quickly that sophomore Zeb Noland has already decided to play elsewhere. A shakeup caused by Purdy’s progression is a good problem for the Cyclones to have. But it’s still a problem. Noland intends to transfer and that leaves Iowa State thin behind Purdy at quarterback. The Cyclones visit Kansas on Saturday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jason Hammel’s $12 million mutual option has been declined by the Kansas City Royals, who will pay the 36-year-old right-hander a $2 million buyout. Hammel set a career high for losses, going 4-14 with a 6.02 ERA in 18 starts and 21 relief appearances. He was dropped from the rotation in early July after losing six straight starts. He agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract before the 2017 season and went 12-27.