Hillcrest begins volleyball season with a bang

Article credit: Andy Krutsinger/The Union
KEOTA — Three Union area teams were in Keota on Monday night for a season-opening six-team tournament. One team walked out with a trophy.

The Hillcrest Academy volleyball team raises the trophy after winning the Keota tournament on August 26, 2024. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

Hillcrest Academy, which finished second in the 2023 tournament went one step further, going 3-0 on the day to take home the championship.

“It’s all about progress to me,” said Ravens head coach Brandon Statler. “The first year, we won a match. Last year we made it to the championship, won the first set and kind of crumbled under the pressure.”