We continue our chronological look back at area sports for Hillcrest Academy, Highland, Sigourney and Keota with last fall’s volleyball season.
The Ravens led the way for this group, piling up a total of 16 wins and finishing .500, with a 4-4 record inside the Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division. Hillcrest opened the year by winning the Keota tournament with a sweep of the home Eagles, English Valleys, Highland and Lone Tree. Their win over Highland in conference play following that tournament finished their five-match-winning-streak, their longest of the season. The Ravens advanced through the opening round of the Southeast Iowa Superconference tournament before being eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the multi-day event. Senior Claire Withrow led the way with 383 assists. Senior Niva Helmuth had a team best 203 kills. Defensively, freshman Brynna Boshart’s 195 digs were best, as were Helmuth’s 37 blocks. Boshart was also the leader from the service line, finishing the year with 61 aces. Five Ravens were named All-Superconference including first-teamer Helmuth, second team Withrow and Ruth Witthoft and Honorable Mentions Stavia Miller and Boshart.
The Sigourney volleyball team had a 12-10 campaign, finishing .500 at 5-5 in the South Iowa Cedar League. The Savages started the season hot, winning nine of their first 12 matches, including three victories at the WACO Tournament on opening night. Sigourney ended their season in the first round of the 1A Regional Tournament, dropping a four set contest to Eddyville-Blakesburg. Stat-leaders for Sigourney included Becca Gretter with 266 assists, Bailey Gretter with 349 digs, third in conference, 161 kills, seventh in conference, Clara Hanselman with 36 blocks, sixth in the SICL and Ella Bruns with 33 aces. There were plenty of post-season awards for the Savages with four players selected All-South Iowa Cedar League including first-teamers Addy Fineran and Bailey Gretter and Honorable Mention choices Clara Hanselman and Becca Gretter.
Keota volleyball finished over .500 last fall at 11-10, 4-6, sixth in the South Iowa Cedar League. It was Keota’s first winning season in 11 years. The Eagles peaked at the right time, winning six of their last seven matches, including a four set first round playoff victory against English Valleys. By the numbers, leaders were Jaylah Redlinger with 265 assists, 10th in the SICL, Elyse Lyle with 147 kills, Kennedy Jackson 41 blocks, fourth in conference, Addison Purkeypile with 300 digs and Kaylee Kindred with 43 aces. Three Eagles were chosen All-South Iowa Cedar League including Second-team selection Elyse Lyle and Honorable Mention performers Jaylah Redlinger and Kennedy Jackson.
Highland volleyball was 4-23 on the season, ending at 2-6, seventh in the Superconference North. Best Huskies by the numbers were Adisyn Prottsman with 137 assists, Ava Sexton with 104 kills and 42 aces, Emersyn Schultz at 254 digs, sixth in conference, and Kamryn Fink with 21 blocks. Three Huskies made All-Conference teams including Emersyn Schultz Second Team and Honorable Mention for Brena Hazelett and Adisyn Prottsman.
Our Year in Review for the Huskies, Eagles, Savages and Ravens continues Wednesday on the cross country course.