Keota High School is the site for the start of the volleyball season tonight with the annual Eagle Invitational, featuring four schools from the KCII listening area.
The home Eagles are coming off of a 10-14 campaign, where they finished 3-7 in league action. Keota had three all-conference selections last season, two of which return, including Kimberly Clarahan, who was a second-team selection, with 406 digs, the most in the SICL East. Lainey Swanson was honorable mention with 153 digs, 97 assists and 45 aces.
Hillcrest Academy was also 10-14 a season ago, 3-5 in the Southeast Iowa Superconference. The Ravens had four All-Superconference selections last season including Malia Yoder as a first team All-SEISC pick, with a .309 kill efficiency rating, 302 digs, 209 kills, and 46 aces. Kylee Statler was a second team SEISC selection. Statler led the Superconference with 50 aces. She had 139 digs, 111 kills, 40 blocks, and a .180 kill efficiency. A pair of Ravens earned Honorable Mention honors. Lydia Beachy finished with 178 digs, 57 kills and 25 aces. Claire Withrow totaled 468 assists, 157 digs and 34 aces.
The Highland Huskies were 13-16 last year, 6-2 in Superconference play. Six Huskies were chosen All-Conference a season ago, two return. Adeline Krotz and Lily Barre received honorable mention awards for the Huskies. Krotz put up 104 kills, 51 digs and 25 blocks. Barre had 91 digs and 12 aces.
Lone Tree was 3-21 last year, 1-7 in the SEISC. The Lady Lions had two All-Conference selections last season, Alex Dautremont returns after being honorable mention last year with 228 digs, 71 kills and 26 aces.
Also at Keota tonight are English Valleys and Cedar Valley Christian. Action starts at 4:30p.m. And continues into the evening Monday at Keota High School.