Washington volleyball players (from left) Kylee Porter, Jesse Buchholz, Oliva Postl, Alexis Turner, and Megan Mitchell watch match play from the bench during last year’s Southeast Conference match versus Keokuk. Photo by KCII Sports’ Nate Gonner.

A new season of Washington Demon volleyball begins tonight with new faces on the floor and on the bench. One of the biggest changes is at head coach, where Lexa Mahr begins her coaching career this evening against the Demons’ county rival the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks (3-0 overall). Washington and Mid-Prairie have met five times on the court in the last two seasons with Mid-Prairie winning each match in straight sets.

Washington enters the new season looking to replace multiple graduates who impacted last year’s 6-23 record. Emma Stout led the team in digs with 176, while Morgan Kimball and Amber Salow recorded a team-best 64 kills a piece.

Mahr is looking for leadership from four seniors Jesse Buchholz, Olivia Postl, Alexis Turner, and Victoria Barber. Postl is the Demons’ top offensive returner, tallying 53 kills as a junior. Sophomore Isabel Bailey returns after having 34 kills as a freshman, while Buchholz recorded 30 points. Washington also returns its top facilitator in junior Megan Mitchell. Mitchell assisted on 176 points as a sophomore.

For a second straight season, the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks opened the season as the champions of the Keota volleyball tournament. Sophomore Jaedynn Evans leads the entire state with 40 kills entering match play tonight. Senior Clarice Murphy collected 45 assists in three matches Monday, ranking her second in the state regardless of class and first in Class 2A.

First serve of tonight’s varsity match between Washington and Mid-Prairie is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Washington High School.