Waterloo’s Hannah Cope sends one over the net against O’Fallon on Thursday night. (John Spytek photo)

The high school volleyball season is in full gear, with early season tournaments and other key matches aimed at getting teams ready for the grueling schedule ahead.

Valmeyer is off to a sizzling 5-0 start after sweeping through last week’s Roxana Invitational.

The Pirates topped Marquette, Piasa Southwestern and Father McGivney earlier in the week before taking down both Civic Memorial and Roxana on Saturday to win the title.

Guin Kohnz recorded 38 points and 83 assists in the tourney, with other key performers being Jessie Seidel (41 kills, 35 digs) and Sara Andres (nine blocks).

The Seidel sisters (Jessie and Sam) combined for 15 kills and 18 digs against Marquette. Against Piasa Southwestern, Valmeyer’s serving game really stepped up, head coach Jenny Kohnz said.

Valmeyer entered Saturday’s action without its libero, Kendra Goldschmidt, who was participating in a barrel racing competition with her horse. With only nine players, the Pirates won anyway.

“We had some key serving performances from our two freshmen, Tinleigh Jakimausaks and Brooke Maus,” Kohnz said. “Brooke finished the Civic Memorial game with two aces for us and Tinleigh had three in the Roxana game.”  

The coach also pointed to the solid play of Guin Kohnz.

“She leads our team in serving percentage and points scored,” Jenny Kohnz said. “Guin takes charge and gets the job done, whether its setting her teammates, dumping the ball, or taking advantage of a tight set in the front row and swinging away.”

The coach also praised Sam and Jessie Seidel for stepping up on Saturday.

“Sam and Jessie have to pass on every serve receive, play defense in the back row and be our go-to hitters in the front row,” she said.

The Pirates host Lebanon next Tuesday.

After splitting its opening two matches, Columbia began Marissa Invitational play on a positive note Monday night, defeating both Trico and Lovejoy in two sets.

The Eagles (3-1) followed last Monday’s season-opening win over Alton with a loss to rival Althoff last Tuesday.

On Monday, Paige Becker collected eight points and six assists and Mia Valleroy added four kills against Trico. 

Becker finished with seven points and 10 assists and Haley Mathews recorded seven kills against Lovejoy.

The Eagles continue tourney action Wednesday with a match against Red Bud.

On Sept. 7, rivals Columbia and Waterloo will collide on the volleyball court at WHS. The varsity match will take place following the junior varsity match slated for 5 p.m.

Waterloo is 0-2 following two tough matches. 

Last Tuesday, the Bulldogs dropped a three-set thriller to Freeburg, 19-25, 25-23, 26-28.  Hannah Cope had eight kills, McKenna Krebel collected 12 assists, and Emma Innis added eight points.

On Thursday, Waterloo fell in straight sets to O’Fallon, 28-26, 25-14. Grace Amann led the way for the ‘Dogs with six points, two on aces.

Waterloo hosts Belleville East on Thursday prior to next week’s rivalry clash.

Gibault is 1-2 in early action, picking up its first victory Monday night in the Marissa tourney over Madison, 21-15, 21-10. Kayla Huels finished with 15 assists, Lexi Chambers had nine points and seven aces, and Ashlyn Wightman added five kills.

The Hawks dropped contests to Red Bud and Wesclin to open the season.

Gibault continued tourney play with matches against Wesclin and Marissa on Tuesday.

Dupo is 2-4 on the season. The Tigers went 1-4 in the Roxana tourney, but picked up a much-needed victory Monday night over Christ Our Savior Lutheran, 25-19, 25-6.

The team leaders so far have been Courtney Stanek, Cameron Foster, Kyleigh Williams and Sheridan Pipkens.

Dupo plays at Madison on Thursday and will be at Marissa on Tuesday.