The new year got underway for the Hillcrest Academy Raven volleyball team Thursday when they traveled to Fairfield for matches against Eddyville-Blakesburg, Albia and the Trojans. Hillcrest dropped all three, losing best of three matches in straight sets to the Rockets 25-12 and 25-17, the Lady Dees 25-19 and 25-4 and Fairfield 25-15 and 25-15 scores. After the night, Hillcrest head coach Tanna Boshart talked about what she saw from her team. “I liked the fact that we did not give up. I called time out at one point to remind them that we don’t quit and that they are all very capable. I am proud of the way they hung together. We had some adversity with Yani Gutierrez chipping her tooth but I’m proud of the way she pulled it together and was able to finish the game. I thought everyone played hard and I couldn’t ask for more effort.”

The Ravens are now 0-3 on the season, they are back in action Thursday when they travel to Lone Tree.