It’s tournament time to start 2025 for the Washington Demon volleyball team when they travel to Grinnell Saturday for their first official matches of the season. Washington finished last year 18-16, the crown jewels for the Demons, a Southeast Conference regular season championship, an SEC Tournament championship, and an opening round playoff win over Mediapolis. Six Demons were named All-SEC including Leighton Messinger, Lauren Hinrichsen, Layla Green, Ella Greiner, Taylor Miksch and Ellie Farmer. Messinger was SEC Player of the Year and All-District. Back from that group are Messinger, Green, Miksch and Farmer. By the numbers, Washington was led by Messinger’s 285 kills, .251 efficiency, and 244 digs. The kills and efficiency were best in the conference. Green’s 44 blocks at the net led the Demons. Assists leader Lauren Hinrichsen has departed after a team-best 659 last year. Carys Miller is the leader back with 52. Ella Greiner graduated after being Washington’s leader in aces with 42 last year. Messinger’s 35 are the top number remaining on the roster. Demon head coach Aaron Six joined KCII sports at Washington Media Night to talk about what has him excited for this team. Six said, “I want to see where this team can go! A lot of them have put in a lot of effort in the offseason to reach the potential of what they are capable of doing.”

The Demons will be joined at the Grinnell Tournament Saturday by No. 9 in Class 4A Ballard, Carlisle, No. 1 in Class 4A Clear Creek Amana, Decorah, Fairfield, No. 8 in 5A Iowa City West, Mt. Pleasant, South Tama, West Liberty, No. 10 in 4A Cedar Rapids Xavier and the home Tigers. Action starts at 9a.m. And continues throughout Saturday in Grinnell.