It’s win-or-go-home time for local teams as the Iowa high school volleyball playoffs begin tonight. Two rival squads will cross paths in the first round, as the Winfield-Mount Union Wolves host the Lone Tree Lions in Class 1A Region 2.

Winfield-Mount Union has a 12-10 record and is led by senior setter Madisen Kellogg, who has handed out 376 assists to go with 41 kills, 119 digs, 12 blocked shots and 20 serving aces. Freshman Kynlee Buffington has been a break-out star for the team with 135 kills and 44 blocks.

Kellee Milks leads the Wolves with 166 kills and also has racked up 256 digs and 24 aces, while fellow junior Quin Smith has 34 blocks to pair with 78 kills and 27 aces. Senior Josie Nelson has also been a double-double threat for WMU with 79 kills, 286 digs and 21 aces.

Lone Tree is 8-17 and leans on two middle blockers in senior Cate Sexton and junior Alyson Ford, who have combined for 94 blocks and 127 kills, while senior Avery Morarie has been one of the Lions’ top outside hitters with 73 kills and 18 aces.

The Highland Huskies also have a first-round date in Class 1A Region 2 this evening when they host North Cedar. Highland is 17-12 and led by senior Adeline Krotz, who has team highs of 171 kills, 26 blocks and 30 aces.

Junior Brenna Hazelett has been a force at middle blocker for the Huskies with 103 kills and 16 blocks, while sophomore Hailey Brun has 138 kills and 165 digs at outside hitter and senior Laney Skelton has dished out 427 assists to go with 66 kills, 131 digs and 22 aces at setter.

The Sigourney Savages also get to host a first-round match against Martensdale-St Marys in Class 1A Region 1. Sigourney is 15-5 and has two key senior hitters. Outside Josephine Moore has 171 kills, 243 digs and 28 aces, while middle Reagan Clarahan has put up 134 kills and 40 blocks.

Columbus will look for a home victory in the first round in Class 2A Region 3 when they entertain Danville. The Wildcats went 10-16 in the regular season thanks in part to five different players getting at least 20 aces when serving.

Jessica Del Rio is one of those players with 29 aces and a team-high 121 kills, while fellow junior Kennedy Woepking has posted 101 kills, 21 aces and 217 digs and senior Aracely Garza has come up with 84 kills, 200 digs and a team-best 37 aces.

WACO plays a first-round game in 1A Region 2 at Burlington Notre Dame. The Warriors are 8-18 and have turned to young stars to lead the way like Carlee Lunsford, who has a team-high 93 kills as well as over 100 digs and 29 aces.

Fellow sophomore Brenna Graber is closing in on 300 digs for the season and has 85 kills and 23 aces. All first-round playoff volleyball matches are set to start tonight at 7.