Tigers' Haley James Believes State Soccer Experience Will Bode Well For This Year

ADM senior soccer player Haley James is optimistic about the team's chances after last year's state tournament run.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:14pm

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Adel-DeSoto-Minburn (ADM) Girls Soccer Team senior Haley James is confident that the team's experience from last year's state tournament appearance will provide a positive carryover into the 2026 season. James, who missed her junior season due to injury, is looking to play a key role this year as the Tigers aim to build on their 2025 success.

Why it matters

High school sports, especially in smaller communities, can have a major impact on school and community pride. The ADM girls soccer team's state tournament run last year generated excitement, and the returning players' experience could help the team achieve even more this season.

The details

James started playing soccer at age 5 and loves the opportunity to bond with her teammates while also growing as an individual. She says the previous year's seniors taught her to give 100% every game and never quit. In 2025, ADM qualified for the Class 2A State Tournament in Ames, where they lost 3-1 to Waverly-Shell Rock in the semifinals. James believes that experience will help the team push themselves even further this season.

  • ADM will play their season/home opener this coming Thursday at Tiger Stadium in Adel against North Polk.
  • During the 2025 season, ADM was able to qualify for the Class 2A State Tournament in Ames.

The players

Haley James

A senior on the Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Girls Soccer Team who is looking to play a pivotal role this year after missing her junior season due to injury.

Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Girls Soccer Team

The high school soccer team from Adel, Iowa that qualified for the Class 2A State Tournament in 2025.

Waverly-Shell Rock

The team that defeated Adel-DeSoto-Minburn 3-1 in the 2025 Class 2A State Tournament semifinals.

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What they’re saying

“I think last year was really showing ourselves that we can do amazing things, and qualify for a lot of different things. And so I think that's just going to transfer over this year to push ourselves even more and to achieve more this year.”

— Haley James, Senior, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Girls Soccer Team

The takeaway

The Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Girls Soccer Team's state tournament appearance last year has instilled confidence in the returning players, especially senior Haley James, as they aim to build on that success and make an even deeper run in 2026.