Submitted photo: Members of the state-bound North Union softball team include, front row (left to right): Ella Ulrich, Harley Tobin, Libby Stevens, Cassie Beadle and Shelby Fraker. Back: assistant Hope Steinberger, Coach Jack Von Bank, Emily Meyer, Sam Nielsen, Olivia Von Bank, Olivia Merrill, Kaylee Meyer, Naomi Jones, Maggie Engelby, Vanessa Von Bank, Lexi Vaske, Aliyah Jones, Beth Streuber, Manager Olivia Price and head coach Kim Price.

It will be a family atmosphere for North Union as they compete in their fifth state tournament during the past decade alone at Rogers Park this week.

Four sets of sisters — along with two sets of cousins — will try to help guide the Warriors (29-4) deep into the Class 2A field.

North Union will be backed by head coach Kim Price, who is an hold hat at contending for state championships. Price, in her third season with the Warriors, played in three 1A championship games during her time as a player at Woodward-Granger.

The Warriors, who are the fifth seed, open tournament play on Monday vs. No. 4 Earlham (32-9). First pitch will be thrown at 3:30 p.m. on Iowa Central Field (Diamond 2).

Eighth-ranked North Union is clicking at the right time, with seven straight victories. Sophomore Emily Meyer has been strong in the circle with a 29-4 record in 174 innings pitched. Meyer sports a 1.45 ERA and has fanned 271 batters.

Cassie Beadle (.545) and shortstop Olivia Von Bank (.533) are the Warriors’ leading hitters. Beadle is the top producer in hits (61) and runs (59).

Olivia Von Bank is the Warriors’ leader in RBI (68) — which leads the entire state — and home runs (nine).

Emily Meyer has driven in 40, while Vanessa Von Bank has 37 RBI.

This will be the eighth trip for seventh-ranked Earlham. The Cardinals have claimed one runner up and two state championships all-time.

Earlham’s three seniors will go on to play college softball. Alli Boyle is headed for South Dakota State, Emma Jensen will be at Central College, and Madeline Janssen will throw for DMACC.

Jensen is squad’s leader in runs (51) and hits (61). Freshman Cora Boyle’s 41 RBI leads the Cardinals.

In the circle, Janssen totes a 22-4 record with a 1.93 ERA. She has fanned 163 batters.

The winner of this contest faces either No. 1 seed Wilton (28-3) or Pella Christian (17-18) on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in a 2A semifinal.