Local athletes and coaches get another chance to step on the court this fall for the 31st Annual Southeast Iowa Volleyball Classic Saturday.
Two Washington Demons have been selected to the team, seniors Lauren Hinrichsen and Ella Greiner. Hinrichsen finished 14th in Class 3A with 659 assists, along with 197 digs and 22 aces. Greiner posted 242 digs, 166 kills and a team leading 42 aces, top 20 in 3A. The duo led the Demons to their first winning season in 17 years and first ever Southeast Conference tournament title.
Two Hillcrest Academy Ravens will join them, seniors Malia Yoder and Kylee Statler. Yoder led Hillcrest with 389 digs, 353 kills, a .303 kill efficiency and 60 aces, all top 20 numbers in Class 1A. Statler finished with 164 kills, a team best 41 blocks and 11 aces. The pair led the Ravens to their first 20-win season since 2013.
Three Highland Huskies will be part of the event, seniors Lilly Barre, Adeline Krotz and Laney Skelton. Statistically, Skelton’s 449 assists led the way this fall, she added 142 digs, 67 kills and 22 aces. Barre was the defensive leader with 396 digs, top 20 in 1A to go with 16 aces. Krotz was the top killer, piling up 179 with a .252 efficiency rating with 30 aces and 27 blocks. Highland’s 17-13 mark this fall is their first winning record since 2016.
Columbus head coach Lori Beenen will be part of the staff. Beenen just completed her sixth year with the Wildcats, leading them to 11 wins this fall, including a 5-3 record and third place finish in the Southeast Iowa Superconference.
These athletes and coaches will be joined by others from Burlington, Central Lee, Danville, Fairfield, Holy Trinity, New London, Burlington Notre Dame, Van Buren, Wapello, and West Burlington. Action starts at 7p.m. Saturday at Burlington High School.