The Keota Eagles are on the cusp of beginning a new volleyball season. Keota started last year fast, winning their first five games and going on to win 10 matches, their most victories since 2014.

One of the leaders for the Eagles this season will be senior Kimberly Clarahan, who was an all-conference-caliber player last season with over 400 digs and 44 serving aces but is also looking to improve on her 44 kills.

Junior Kennedy Jackson returns for Keota after leading the team with 74 kills and 19 blocked shots in the middle last year while also coming up with 13 aces. Lainey Swanson shined as a server with an impressive 45 aces in 2023 and also showed off what she could do with 19 kills, 97 assists and 153 digs.

Senior Izzi Chalupa is also back after putting up 65 kills, 17 aces and 331 digs last season. It’s a deep core for new head coach Jenny Hobbs, who tells KCII Sports that her veteran players are already making a big impact on this year’s squad.

“Their leadership has been excellent,” Hobbs says. “All summer long, they’ve come in to work on skills and lift weights. Just the commitment to [the] program is really what’s sticking out to me so far.”

The Eagles will start the 2024 volleyball season on Monday by hosting the Keota Invitational, with at least one match scheduled against the Lone Tree Lions.