The high school volleyball season is underway, with a few local squads starting off in tournament play while others got a couple of regular season matches under their belts.

Columbia (5-2) placed fourth in the competitive MICDS Tournament over the weekend in Chesterfield, Mo.

The Eagles posted victories over Chicago University and Rockwood Summit on Friday, then defeated St. Joseph’s Academy on Saturday morning to advance to the tourney’s gold bracket. 

Columbia lost to St. Pius X and St. Joseph’s Academy to close out tourney play in fourth place. 

Claire Sandstrom was selected to the all-tourney team for the Eagles. She leads the team with 65 kills in the early going.

Columbia opened its season last Wednesday with a 25-8, 25-14 win over Marquette. Kinley Jany had 11 points and Kate Adams recorded 10 points. 

On Thursday, the Eagles won 24-26, 25-11, 25-15 over Althoff. Sandstrom led the way with 15 kills. Jany recorded 10 points. 

Elliana Ames leads in points with 47. Samantha Spruill has 81 assists for the Eagles, who play in the Tiger Classic this weekend before playing at Wood River on Tuesday. 

Waterloo (1-1) opened its 2024 campaign with a 25-19, 25-23 victory over Freeburg last Tuesday. Ellie Day finished with 24 assists and Kenzy Koudelka had nine kills on the night. 

On Thursday, the Bulldogs dropped a hard-fought 25-21, 25-23 match against O’Fallon. Megan Huebner had 10 blocks, and Day recorded 18 assists.

Waterloo has three big home matches upcoming: Thursday against Althoff, Tuesday against Mater Dei and next Wednesday against Collinsville. 

Gibault opened its season with a two-set loss to Belleville East last Monday and a three-set defeat at the hands of Red Bud last Tuesday before entering New Athens Tournament play over the weekend. 

The Hawks won 21-12, 21-17 over South Central (Farina) and 21-13, 21-17 over New Athens on Friday. 

On Saturday, Gibault lost 21-18, 21-15 to Wesclin.

The Hawks battled Metro East Lutheran on Tuesday and will host Wesclin this Thursday. 

Valmeyer (1-4) opened its season at the Roxana Tournament, losing four of five matches. 

The Pirates fell to Wood River, Greenfield, Mt. Olive and Southwestern last Tuesday before downing Dupo on Saturday, 25-15, 25-22.

Kadence Seitz finished with eight points and 17 digs in the win over Dupo. 

Valmeyer hosted Marissa on Tuesday, plays Wednesday at Sparta, and travels this coming Tuesday to New Athens. 

Dupo is 0-4 after losing all of its matches at the Roxana tourney. 

The Tigers lost to Jerseyville, Father McGivney, Hardin-Calhoun and Valmeyer. 

The Tigers host Madison on Wednesday and Lebanon on Thursday before playing Monday at First Baptist Academy and Tuesday at Marissa.