Returning all starters from a 21-13 campaign in 2021, high hopes surround the WACO volleyball team this fall and they passed the first test with flying colors by sweeping their season opening tournament last night in Wayland. 

The Warriors went 3-0 in pool A by sweeping Columbus (21-9, 21-17) and Louisa-Muscatine (21-5, 21-6) and downing Centerville in three (21-13, 19-21, 15-6). WACO will see the Wildcats and Falcons again later in the year with their transition from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division to the North. Senior setter Grace Coble racked up 38 assists and 16 kills to lead the offense. Ellah Kissell managed 16 kills and Katie Leichty had 11. Jocelyn Fulton took care of the defense with 32 digs and the team was successful on 122 of their 130 serve attempts with 26 aces. Columbus went 1-2 on the evening by also falling to Centerville (16-21, 15-21), but they defeated Louisa-Muscatine (21-10, 21-16). Sigourney was in pool B and finished in a three-way tie for first with a 2-1 mark. The Savages downed Pekin (21-12, 21-17) and Wapello (21-18, 21-18), but fell to Van Buren in three (18-21, 21-19, 14-16). 

The competition was pool play only with no championship round being played. 

Photo Courtesy of WACO Volleyball