Washington junior Megan Mitchell (No. 7) sets the ball to Liv Postl (No. 17) during a home match this fall. Photo by KCII Sports Nate Gonner.

A long bus ride awaits the Washington Demon volleyball team (3-22) in their postseason opener tonight. The Demons begin their playoff run in Eldridge, facing the North Scott Lancers (9-19) in the opening round of the Class 4A Region 8 tournament.

The Demons have been successful in the second half of the season, winning all three of their matches after September 23. Seniors Liv Postl, Jessie Buchholz, and Alexis Turner have each recorded over 50 kills and at least 14 aces. Postl tops the team with 93 kills. Sophomore Isabel Bailey ranks second on the team with 75 kills. Facilitating Washington’s offense is junior Megan Mitchell, whose 232 assists ranks fourth in the Southeast Conference. Juniors Morgan Brinning and Kylee Porter are the only Demon players with more than 100 digs. Brinning leads the Demons with 135, while Porter has tallied 104.

The Lancers are also playing better at the end of the season, earning six of their nine wins after September 20. The winner of tonight’s match advances to Tuesday’s regional semifinal against the Clinton River Queens (21-13 overall). First serve is set for 7 p.m. tonight at North Scott High School.