It’s an all-KCII area matchup tonight at Hillcrest Union in Kalona when the Keota Eagles travel to take on the Hillcrest Academy Ravens in the first round of the Class 1A Regional volleyball tournament. Hillcrest is 19-8 on the year, finishing 5-3, third place in the North Division of the Southeast Iowa Superconference. The Ravens split a pair of matches Thursday at the Danville tournament to finish the regular season, beating Mount Pleasant and falling to the Burlington Grayhounds. On the season, the Ravens have totaled 1,134 digs, 752 kills, 616 assists, 219 aces and 87 blocks. Individual stat leaders include Claire Withrow with 592 assists, Malia Yoder with 335 digs, 314 kills, and 55 aces, Kylee Statler has 35 blocks.
Keota is 4-14 this season after finishing a winless 0-9 in the South Iowa Cedar League. The Eagles went 1-2 in the South Iowa Cedar League tournament last week, beating Colfax-Mingo before falling to Belle Plaine and Iowa Valley to end their run. This year, the Eagles have 804 digs, 326 kills, 297 assists, 132 aces and 64 blocks. Individual leaders include, Kimberly Clarahan with 289 digs, Grace Conger with 221 assists and 32 aces, Niveah Gutierrez with 74 kills and 21 blocks.
Hillcrest has won six of the last nine meetings between the two schools including a sweep last season. The winner of this match advances to the Class 1A Regional quarterfinals to meet the winner of Belle Plaine and English Valleys. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. At Hillcrest Union in Kalona.