Live action will be on the hard court in Keota tonight for the start of the high school volleyball season in the KCII listening area. The Eagles are hosting their annual season opening tournament. Joining Keota will be area schools Mid-Prairie, Highland and Lone Tree. The Eagles come into tonight off a season last year that saw them finish 5-17 overall and 3-8 in the South Iowa Cedar League. Addison Swanson led the Eagles last year with 106 kills. With her departing through graduation, the Eagles will look to Taylor Kindred who was second last year with 63. Lead setter Makenzie Jackson is back for her junior year after 110 assists a season ago. Jaime Schulte led the Eagle defense a season ago with 139 digs as a senior so Keota will turn to Lindsey Imhoff who is back for her final season after 103 digs last year. This week, Keota head coach Skye Hahn talked about the 2020 Eagles and tonight’s tournament. “I actually have five seniors this year which is a great number. They are great leaders on the team. They are great about communicating and helping the younger girls. Our team is ready to go, they have been pushing for more and more every day in practice so we are in a good place and excited for live action.”
Mid-Prairie was 6-22 last year, winless in the River Valley Conference. The Golden Hawks won this event last season sweeping all three of their opponents en route to the title. The Golden Hawks return their two leading killers from a season ago in Tori Boyse and Myah Lugar. The seniors to be combined for 197 kills last year. Leading setter Landry Pacha is back for her sophomore season after 216 assists last year. Amber Swart and Paige Peiffer are back to lead the Golden Hawk defense. As juniors last year they combined for 254 digs.
Highland returns to Keota after a 3-20 season last year including a 1-7 mark in the Southeast Iowa Superconference. The Huskies will need to replace offensive leader Alyssa Brase who graduated after 59 kills last year. Second on the team a season ago, Kayla Cerny is back with her 33 kills from last year. Cerny is also the leading assister who returns from last year’s team. Mackinze Hora is back to anchor the Huskies defense. The junior to be finished last year with 117 digs.
Lone Tree was 5-21 a year ago, 3-6 in the Superconference. The Lady Lions return offensive leader Kylie Patterson for her junior season after 88 kills a year ago. Lone Tree will need to replace graduated senior Whitney Willoz at setter after 215 assists last year. Holley Johnson led the Lone Tree defense with 157 digs last year, with Johnson moving on through graduation the responsibility will move to senior to be Josie Mullinix and junior to be Alyssa Knock who combined for 238 digs last season.
Joining those area schools in Keota will be Tri-County and English Valleys. Action starts at 4:30 and continues into the evening at Keota High School.