For the last three seasons, the Sigourney Savages’ volleyball team hasn’t played their first regular season set until September. Sigourney head volleyball coach Chris Carter said on last week’s PM Sports Page that she believes the late start has contributed to slow starts for her team. The Savages lost their first four matches to begin the 2015 season, finishing the year 10-16 overall.

Carter has added the WACO tournament to the early season schedule, giving her team multiple matches on the first day of the volleyball season August 22. Other schools participating in WACO’s season opening tournament includes: Centerville, Columbus, Pekin, Van Buren, WACO, Wapello, and West Burlington.

Senior Anna Ohland is back to lead the Savages’ offense. Ohland posted 166 kills in 72 sets last season, an average of 2.31 kills per set. Ohland was also one of four Sigourney players who served up 30 aces last season. Junior Leah Carter is back to facilitate the Savages’ offense. Carter’s 482 assists ranked second last season in the South Iowa Cedar League. Junior Brooke Waechter led Sigourney with 240 digs.

After the WACO volleyball tournament, the Savages open their non-conference schedule versus the Pekin Panthers in Packwood on August 30th. The South Iowa Cedar League schedule for Sigourney begins September 12, hosting the Keota Eagles.