Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Yearbook

For the first time in three seasons, the Hillcrest Academy Raven volleyball team hosts a Senior Night match Tuesday when they entertain Wapello. The youth movement for the Ravens the past few seasons has seen them without a senior on their roster since 2021. Hillcrest is 17-5 on the year, 4-1 in the Southeast Iowa Superconference, after a four set win at WACO Thursday. This season, the Ravens as a team have 776 digs, 533 kills, 430 assists, 170 aces, 50 blocks and a .217 kill efficiency, 10th in Class 1A. Individual leaders include, Claire Withrow with 422 assists, Malia Yoder with 227 digs, 212 kills, and 45 aces and Kylee Statler with 24 blocks.

Wapello is 13-11 on the season and unbeaten at 5-0 in the Superconference. They swept Highland last week. On the year, as a team, the Arrows have 977 digs, 508 kills, 469 assists, 91 aces and 60 blocks. Individually, they are led by Annaka Greiner with 435 assists and 21 aces, Mya Wagner with 330 digs, sixth most in 1A, Mila Jordan with 207 kills, and Kate Lanz with 32 blocks. Wapello has won seven straight in the series including a sweep last season. The last Hillcrest win was 2018. The Ravens will honor five seniors including Malia Yoder, Kylee Statler, Erin Bontrager, Zoey Curtiss, and Lydia Beachy. Action starts tonight at 7:30p.m. at Hillcrest Union.