The Hillcrest Academy volleyball team kicks off the tournament trail tonight in New London against the state ranked Tigers. Hillcrest comes into the match with a record of 4-23. They finished 1-8 in the North Division of the Southeast Iowa Superconference. Last time out they spoiled Senior Night in Letts, beating Louisa-Muscatine in five. Hillcrest has totaled 778 digs to go with 456 kills, 365 assists, 159 aces and 42 blocks. Individual leaders include freshman Claire Withrow with 257 assists, sophomore Malia Yoder with 239 digs and 148 assists, and sophomore Kylee Statler with 45 aces and 20 blocks.

New London is 25-9 on the year, finishing 6-2 in the South Division of the Superconference. The Tigers are ranked No. 14 in Class 1A in the latest poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. In their last action they swept Danville to celebrate Senior Night. The Tigers are second in Class 1A with 1,825 digs, fourth with 969 kills, and fourth with 877 assists. Individual Tiger leaders include senior Eliana Manning with 819 assists, second in Class 1A, senior Natalie Burden with 388 kills, fifth in 1A, senior Emma Nye with 63 aces, 10th in 1A, she also has a team best 590 digs. Junior Tysann Gipple has a team best 43 blocks. New London has beaten Hillcrest in seven of their last eight meetings including a sweep at the Superconference tournament in September of this year. The Ravens last win in the series came in 2007. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. at New London High School.