It is rare when two old arch rivals do not play each other during the season. You see it in college sports with conference realignments. This year, Knoxville and Pella did not play a heads-up match in volleyball due in part to Knoxville’s move to the South Central Conference. The two did meet at the Pella Invitational earlier this season however that was a best of three with Pella taking the match in two sets. The two will meet because the Iowa Girls Athletic Union has matched them up in a first round class 4A regional tonight. Knoxville Coach Chantell Downing says one strength of her team is hitting especially on the front row with leading hitters Cheyenne Jones and Ashley Hawkshead. Complimenting them is blocks leader Haili Swan, Downing thinks the girls can use that to their advantage, starting with setter Meredith Cunningham. The two rivals meet tonight in Pella at seven.

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