A pair of local teams were beaten in postseason volleyball action Monday night. The Columbus Wildcats had their season end at home, falling in four sets to Alburnett in the first round of the Class 2A Region 7 tournament. After dropping the first set 25-17, Columbus rallied and won the second frame 25-15. But Alburnett closed strong and won the final two sets 25-21 and 25-22.

The Wildcats were once again led by junior Lily Coil’s all-around efforts, as the outside hitter finished with nine kills, two assists, a serving ace, 26 digs and a blocked shot. Fellow junior Aracely Garza added five kills, an ace and 15 digs, while sophomore Kennedy Woepking had nine kills and two aces. Sophomore setter Daniela Diaz handed out 28 assists to go with a kill, two aces, 12 digs and a block as Columbus ends the 2023 campaign with a record of 8-18.

The Highland Huskies suffered a road defeat to end their season, falling at Wapello in four sets. The hosting Arrows won each of the first two sets by a score of 25-13, and while Highland extended the match by winning the third frame 25-23, the Huskies dropped the fourth set by the same score and could not survive any further.

Senior Sarah Burton led Highland with 10 kills, an ace and 24 digs. Senior Peyton Brun and junior Adeline Krotz had eight kills each and combined for three blocks, while junior setter Laney Skelton dished out 19 assists and senior Grace Prybil finished with two kills, 13 assists, 10 digs and a block.

Senior Lorelei Lueck added nine kills as the Huskies ends the season with a mark of 13-16. Highland will be graduating 10 seniors, including Burton, Brun, Prybil, Lueck, Madison Beeson, Haley Sands, Shauna Sublette, Courtney Chalupa, Kerra Longbine and Kelsi Cerny.