Defense, experience fuel progress at Keota

Ah, the perks of experience.Veteran and defensive-minded, the Keota High School volleyball has tripled its win output from a year ago and claimed the championship of the South Iowa Cedar League."We're not very big, but we're a scrappy team," said Keota Coach Dan Stout. "We make a lot of hustle plays, and when we do that, we are really successful."Postseason volleyball has arrived for Class 1A and Class 2A teams -- a trickle of 1A matches are scheduled for tonight, 2A gets under way Tuesday, 1A hits full steam Wednesday.Keota (24-6) hopes to cap an ascendant season with a deep tournament run. The 14th-ranked Eagles open at home Wednesday with English Valleys, then likely face a tall regional-quarterfinal hurdle against No. 9 Iowa Mennonite (30-6) next Tuesday."If we play IMS, I think we'll match up with pretty well," Stout said.Keota has a number of three-year starters on its roster, and has escaped the growing pains suffered during last year's eight-win campaign.Seniors Jenna Altenhofen (2.6 kills per game) and Brittney Hammen (2.2) are the primary offensive threats. Shelby Fagen, another senior, is the setter.But the key, Stout said, is defense."They refuse to let the ball hit the floor," he said.IMS hosts Sigourney on Wednesday. Tri-Rivers Conference regular-season champion Springville (23-10), the area's other ranked 1A team at No. 15, hosts Central City.West Branch (26-6) has been the best 2A team in the area. The Bears open their regional road at Tipton on Tuesday.Class 3A and Class 4A regionals begin next Monday.

MVC slate winds downIowa City High and Iowa City West have clinched a title share of their respective Mississippi Valley Conference divisions, and will attempt to win outright championships as the MVC slate ends Tuesday.Mississippi Division leader City High (32-5, 7-0) has the more challenging assignment. The Little Hawks close at home against Cedar Rapids Xavier (27-10, 5-2). A Xavier win would open the door for Dubuque Wahlert (21-9, 6-1), which finishes at Linn-Mar (16-17, 4-3).MVC tournament champion West (31-7, 6-1) can claim the Valley Division title outright if it wins at Dubuque Hempstead (18-15, 3-4). Xavier and Cedar Falls (21-12, 5-2) are in pursuit.