Area teams put their season on the line tonight as the high school volleyball playoffs gets underway with first-round regional action. In Class 1A Region 8, WACO earned the number-three seed after going 25-6. Lead by senior Ellah Kissell’s 211 kills and the all-around prowess of senior setter Grace Coble, the Warriors will look to move on and host another match when they welcome in 5-16 Melcher-Dallas.

WACO finished runner-up in the Super Conference North to Winfield-Mount Union, who is the four seed in Region 8 and will host Twin Cedars. Senior setter Keely Malone made plays all over with 80 kills, 529 assists, 43 aces, 93 digs and 26 blocks to help the Wolves go 22-9.

WMU will either face Wapello or the Keota Eagles, who are the 12 seed after going 4-17. The Sigourney Savages are 22-7 and the seventh seed in Region 8. Junior Amiya Smallwood has dominated at the net with 159 kills and 30 blocks and will look to power Sigourney past Seymour.

In 1A Region 7, the Highland Huskies finished the regular season strong, winning four of their final seven matches to improve to 12-13. Fifth-seeded Highland will lean on junior Sarah Burton and her team-high 177 kills to knock off Tri-County. Lone Tree split their last eight matches to reach 5-19. The 13th-seeded Lions and senior star Riley Krueger look to get past Central City.

Finally, the Columbus Community Wildcats have ripped off three wins in their last five matches and hope for more in 2A Region 7. Ninth-seeded Columbus has a 6-20 record as they travel to take on Cascade, with the winner moving on to face top seed Wapsie Valley. All regional matches are slated for first serve this evening at 7.