The Keota Eagles survived and advanced from the first round of the high school volleyball playoffs by defeating the Lone Tree Lions in a five-set thriller last night. After Keota took the first set 25-16, Lone Tree won the next two frames 25-22 and 25-23 and was on the brink of victory.
But the Eagles rallied on their home floor to beat the Lions 25-16 in the fourth set, and with the match coming down to a decisive fifth frame, Keota was able to outlast Lone Tree and win 15-9.
Despite a game effort, the season ends for the Lions with a record of 3-21. Lone Tree will be graduating four seniors in Hogan Eden, Lilly Mills, Layla McMartin and Bailey McGrew. Meanwhile, Keota improves to 10-13 and moves on to the Class 1A Region 7 quarterfinals tomorrow night against North Tama.