One of the great traditions in local high school volleyball returns tonight with the first stage of this year’s Southeast Iowa Super Conference Tournament, as area teams will compete in pool play tonight at various different locations.

That includes the WACO Warriors heading to Donnellson this evening. WACO is 11-3 overall but has not lost a Super Conference match this season thanks in part to middle blocker Emma Wagler, who has 74 kills, 25 serving aces and 16 blocks. Fellow senior Marie Farmer has put up 54 kills, 14 aces, 114 digs and 10 blocks for the Warriors, which will face Wapello, New London, Louisa-Muscatine and host Central Lee tonight.

The Winfield-Mount Union Wolves are also 4-0 in conference play and have improved to 10-8 after a slow start to the season. Senior Audrie Gipple’s 122 kills lead WMU, and senior middle Lily Freeman has been a force at the net with 31 kills and 31 blocks. The Wolves take on Danville and Holy Trinity Catholic this evening.

The Lone Tree Lions will also be in Danville tonight for pool play. Lone Tree’s only win in 12 matches came in league action, but junior Cate Sexton has been solid for the Lions in the front row with 34 kills and 19 blocks.

The Columbus Wildcats have two conference wins and are 4-13 overall heading into the Super Conference Tournament. Junior Lily Coil leads Columbus with 81 kills, 139 digs and nine blocks. The Wildcats will be hosting Van Buren County and Burlington Notre Dame.

Also traveling to Columbus Junction are the Hillcrest Academy Ravens, who are 1-4 in the Super Conference and 5-7 overall. Junior Malia Yoder leads the Ravens with 80 kills and 148 digs.

The Highland Huskies get the opportunity to stay at home for pool play. Highland sits at 2-2 in league play and is 7-10 in total. Senior hitter Sarah Burton leads Highland with 81 kills, 12 aces, 133 digs and 12 blocks. The Huskies will welcome Mediapolis, Pekin and West Burlington to Riverside this evening. All Super Conference Tournament pool-play matches start at 5 p.m.