Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy Yearbook

The Hillcrest Academy Raven volleyball team saw their season draw to a close Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the Class 1A regional tournament, falling at home to Belle Plaine in five sets. The Plaineswomen won the match 21-25, 25-23, 25-18, 16-25 and 15-13. Hillcrest stat leaders included Claire Withrow with 27 assists and four aces, Malia Yoder with 21 digs, 15 kills and four aces, Niva Helmuth with 12 digs, 11 kills and four blocks, Kylee Statler added four blocks. Kayleah Laughlin led Belle Plaine with 24 digs, 20 kills and two aces.

Belle Plaine is now 17-13 on the year and advances to the 1A Regional Semis to meet No. 5 North Tama. The Ravens end their season at 20-11, their most wins since 2013 and say goodbye to five seniors, Malia Yoder, Kylee Statler, Erin Bontrager, Zoey Curtiss and Lydia Beachy.