The volleyball season geared up and got rolling on Tuesday for several teams across the State and the Northeast Kansas League action started with a full slate of League games. 

Horton played host on Tuesday to two of the NEKL top teams from last year in Jefferson County North and Valley Falls for a triangular on League action. 

The night started off with a battle of Chargers as the host Horton squared off with JCN. Behind the play of several All-League returns JCN charged out to a 12-6 lead in set one, but Horton responded with a 4-0 run to draw within two at 12-10 forcing a JCN timeout. Out of the timeout JCN surged back with a 4-0 run of their own and the tide turned back in their favor forcing Horton into a timeout. The lead grew for JCN the rest of the way through set one all the way until Annabelle Vaught finished the set with a kill for set point and the 25-12 set one win. Set two started off just like set one with JCN taking control initially only to see Horton draw within two at 12-10 but JCN responded with another strong run going up 21-15. Horton called a late timeout and rattled off three late points but JCN closed out that game taking set two 25-19 to claim the win in straight sets. All-League returner Ravyn Jobbins helped led the JCN offensive attack with several kills, while Horton had a strong showing by Daspin Bruning in the contest. 

JCN continued their night in the second matchup of the night taking on the two-time defending NEKL champs in Valley Falls who had a 32-match winning streak in NEKL contests coming into the season. Unlike the Chargers who brought back plenty of experience the Dragons graduated nine seniors, but do return a pair of All-Leaguers this year. In set one Valley Falls took the initial 2-0 lead but rattled off nine straight early in the set led by the serving of Jentry Seichepine who had a pair of aces during the run. The early 9-0 streak by JCN propelled them to the set one win 25-12, as Julie Schrick nailed a kill for set point. Set two was a tight contest down to the wire as Valley Falls led 7-4 early only to see JCN make a run and lead 23-19 late in the set two. The Dragons didn't give in as they rattled off four straight to tie the set at 23-23 and force a Charger timeout and out of the timeout Valley Falls took the lead. JCN fended off set point three times but the Dragons behind a kill from Reagan Kirkwood finished set two 28-26 to force a third and decisive set. The third set saw both teams have leads but ultimately JCN held Valley Falls at bay through most of the set and secured the set three win 25-20 to take the match in three sets and start the season 2-0. Seichepine speared head the offense for JCN, while Sammi Hughes made several strong defensive plays. For the Dragons the play of Mallory Burns led the way with her serves, sets and kills. 

To cap off the night Valley Falls took on the host Horton with both teams looking to split their matchups on the night and start the season 1-1 and the Dragons accomplished that with a straight set win. Early in set one Valley Falls led 10-5 but Horton strung together a 4-0 run that forced a Dragon timeout and then Horton tied the set at 10-10. Valley Falls mounted a run of their own midway through the set to push back ahead led by Burns serving, but late in the set Horton had another 4-0 run to make it 24-22 as Kaitlynn McAfee had a pair aces for the Chargers but a service error by Horton gave the set to Valley Falls, 25-22. Set two say Rachel Frakes established early for Valley Falls and the Dragons got up 14-10 when Horton called a timeout. After the timeout the Dragons continued their mojo rattling off seven-straight points and went on to grab set two 25-13 for the straight set win giving the Dragons a 1-1 night to start their season, while Horton starts the year 0-2. Callie Hoobler in the loss had several plays for Horton on the night, while Jaci Brinker was a key upfront with Frakes for the Dragons in the win. 

The season continues Saturday, September 3rd for Valley Falls as they compete at the Jeff West Invitational, while more League action continues the season for Horton and JCN next Tuesday, September 6th as Horton is set to the host Maur Hill and McLouth and JCN will host Oskaloosa and Immaculata.