Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The Newell-Fonda volleyball squad celebrates its Class 1A regional championship on Wednesday in Fort Dodge.

The Newell-Fonda volleyball team finally overcame their regional final hurdle here Wednesday night inside Dodger gym.

With a four-set victory over eighth-ranked AGWSR, the Mustangs secured a ticket to the Class 1A state tournament for the first time in program history.

Scores were 25-23, 25-21, 15-25 and 25-19.

Last year, it was the Cougars who dealt Newell-Fonda a regional final defeat on the very same floor. They had lost six consecutive regional finals over the past six seasons prior to securing the elusive bid to Coralville.

Newell-Fonda (21-8 overall) dropped just two sets in regional play, besting Remsen St. Mary’s, Siouxland Christian and Kingsley-Pierson. They will head to state on a 11-match win streak and are 15-2 over their last 17.

The Mustangs have recorded six consecutive seasons with at least 20 wins, going 103-21 during that span. Arick Lowe and Chelsee Bohe are in their first season as co-head coaches for N-F, replacing Marilyn Murra, who ranks as the seventh-winningest volleyball coach in state history.

AGWSR took out St. Edmond earlier this week to advance, winning in four.

The 1A state tournament begins Tuesday night with quarterfinal round matches from the Xtream Arena. Newell-Fonda takes on No. 1 Ankeny Christian (36-3) at 6 p.m. on court one.

Other quarterfinal round pairings will see fourth-ranked BCLUW play No. 9 Saint Ansgar, second-ranked Boyden-Hull battle No. 11 Council Bluffs St. Albert and third-ranked Holy Trinity take on No. 10 Don Bosco.

The semifinals are Wednesday night with the championship game to be played Thursday evening.