The Highland Huskies begin a new volleyball season tonight and will be looking to make some strides after back-to-back seasons with 13 wins, including six victories in conference play that helped them finish third in the North division of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference.

Setter Laney Skelton will be one of Highland’s leaders, coming off handing out 220 assists last year while also compiling 114 digs and 15 serving aces. Fellow senior Adeline Krotz is also back at middle blocker after putting up 104 kills and 25 blocked shots in 2023.

While players like senior Lilly Barre will step into bigger roles, head coach Shannon Hills tells KCII Sports there’s a chemistry and attitude with this group that has elevated everyone’s game to another level.

“We’re staying positive and working together as a team, not separately,” Hills says. “I think they really click together, and the seniors that I have this year, this is my third year with them. So I think our culture has definitely changed over the last three years.”

Highland will start the 2024 volleyball season this evening by playing matches at the Keota Invitational.