The volleyball season opened in Wayland Monday for eight regional schools. The WACO volleyball tournament featured teams from Centerville (3-1 overall), Columbus (1-2 overall), Pekin (2-2 overall), Van Buren (0-3 overall), West Burlington (1-2 overall), Wapello (4-0 overall), and Sigourney (0-3 overall) battling it out for early season momentum. The teams competed in a pair of pools, playing three matches in round robin format.

WACO (3-1 overall) defeated the Columbus Wildcats (22-20, 21-13) and Van Buren (22-20, 26-24) in straight sets. The Warriors’ loss came to Class 3A Centerville in straight sets (16-21, 12-21). The Warriors advanced to the tournament consolation match versus the Pekin Panthers. WACO outdueled Pekin in three games (21-15, 19-21, 15-11) to capture a third place finish. WACO returns to the court September 1, facing off against Southeast Iowa Super Conference South member Danville (0-0).

The Columbus Wildcats downed Van Buren in straight sets (21-1, 21-16). Columbus dropped straight set matches to WACO (20-22, 13-21) and Centerville (16-21, 14-21) to close out pool play. The Wildcats return to the court tomorrow, hosting a triangular versus Louisa-Muscatine and Mediapolis.

The Sigourney Savages lost all three of their matches. The Savages pushed the Pekin Panthers to three games (21-19, 11-21, 10-15) before dropping the match. Sigourney lost in straight sets to West Burlington (18-21, 11-21) and Wapello (6-21, 15-21). Sigourney returns to the court August 30, hosting the Pekin Panthers in a non-conference tilt.