CLARENCE - The Cedar Rapids Kennedy volleyball team reached the semifinals of the Class 4A state tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The Cougars want more in 2011.

Kennedy earned its fourth straight trip to the state tournament by sweeping Bettendorf, 25-14, 25-14, 25-18, with a strong performance in the regional finals Wednesday night at the North Cedar Middle School in Clarence.

The seventh-ranked Cougars (29-9) will face No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead (25-8) in the quarterfinals of the state tournament at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Kennedy Coach Michelle Goodall thinks her team can be a serious contender for the title this year.

"I think we can win it," she said a few minutes after Wednesday's match. "I don't even know who all is there, but it doesn't even matter to me.

"I think we can beat anybody right now. I'm really, really confident with this team."

Kennedy defeated Hempstead, 2-0, in a match Oct. 15, so the Cougars could be favored in the quarterfinals Wednesday even though Hempstead is ranked higher in the polls.

The trouble could come in the semifinals, where the Cougars have stalled each of the last three years. They could face top-ranked Iowa City West, and if they survive the semifinals they could meet second-ranked Iowa City High in the finals.

Kennedy has an 0-and-5 record against the Iowa City schools in matches this season, including an 0-1 mark against Iowa City West and an 0-4 record against City High.

Goodall said her team has improved during the course of the season and is undaunted by the challenge. She believes strongly in her players.

"I think they understand how great they're becoming," she said. "They're pretty confident."

The Cougars looked confident Wednesday as they defeated Bettendorf (15-15) for the fourth straight time this year. The Cougars received a banner after the match that said "2011 state tournament qualifier" and posed for pictures, but they'd like to grab a fancy trophy in their home town next week.

Kennedy senior Allie Hutcheson played in the state tournament as a sophomore and junior, so she knows what it's like to lose in the semifinals. She wants to take the next step.

"There's a big hunger to get to that final match, because we've always gotten stopped at the semis," said Hutcheson, who had a big night Wednesday with 12 kills and 21 assists. "Everyone on the team is really hoping to get to the finals.

"We want to know what it feels like to get there, we want to play in the final match. We really want it."

Kennedy bolted to a 13-3 lead in the first game against Bettendorf and cruised to a 25-14 victory, with Jordan Calef, Lexi Rogers and Hutcheson leading the attack.

It was a similar story in Game 2, with the Cougars soaring to a 19-6 advantage en route to another 25-14 conquest. The Bulldogs put up a better fight in Game 3 and pulled within 22-18, but Kennedy called its only timeout during the lopsided match and scored the next three points for a 25-18 triumph.

"They have size, they have quick hands, they're athletic. They have a complete team," Bettendorf Coach Diane Lichtenberg said. "I think they have a very solid, all-around team.

"They have an outstanding setter in Allie Hutcheson. She can set, she can attack. She's definitely an offensive threat anywhere on the floor."

Calef collected 11 kills and went 13-for-13 on serves, with three aces. Rogers finished with nine kills, Naomi Pfeil had 10 digs and Allie McQuiston was 13-for-14 on serves, with two aces.

Goodall will be making her fifth trip to the state tournament in 13 years as head coach. "It's awesome," she said. "Each year is special. It's different kids, different seniors.

"These kids are showing that our program is going to be around for awhile, because we keep throwing new kids into the mix every season. They perform. They rise."

The state tournament was moved from the U.S. Cellular Center to the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena this year due to renovation of the U.S. Cellular Center.

The Ice Arena is smaller, but cozier.

"I think the energy down there is going to be amazing and I wanted this group to be a part of it," Goodall said. "They've worked hard for this. I'm just happy for them.

"They really are starting to click. I'm going to be happy and just enjoy it, whether we get fifth, third or first."

The Class 4A state tournament will begin at noon Wednesday with No. 1 Iowa City West (36-6) facing Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln (25-21) and No. 2 Iowa City High (38-3) playing No. 11 Cedar Falls (26-12).

The doubleheader at 1:30 p.m. pits No. 7 Kennedy (29-9) against No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead (25-8) and No. 3 Ankeny (28-8) against No. 8 Waukee (27-7).

The winner between Iowa City West and Abraham Lincoln will face the winner between Kennedy and Hempstead on Friday, Nov. 11 at noon. The other 4A semifinal is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 11 at 1:30. The championship match is set for Saturday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m.