A little of the new and a little of the old are in the mix for Iola High’s Fillies when Saturday’s 2012 Iola High Invitational volleyball tournament gets under way.
There are three teams along with Iola representing the Pioneer League. That’s Iola’s new affiliation. Two of Iola’s former league, the Southeast Kansas League, also are in the tourney.
The Fillies are looking for things to turn around in their home tournament. The past three tournaments have seen the Fillies fall short of making it out of pool play.
Burlington High’s Wildcats, one of three Tri-Valley League teams in the tournament, are back to defend their championship. The Wildcats are in the opposite pool of the Fillies.
Iola is in the pool with the two SEK teams — Pittsburg and Labette County — and Prairie View, which is a Pioneer League team. Pittsburg won the tournament title in 2010.
The Fillies open the 2012 IHS Invitational against Prairie View at 8:30 a.m. That match is followed by Pittsburg playing Labette County.
Anderson County takes on Central Heights, both Pioneer League teams, at 8:30 a.m. in the other pool. Burlington and Caney Valley, another TVL team, face off in the second match.
This is the 22nd IHS Invitational.
The top two teams in each pool advance to bracket play. Winners in the semifinal bracket play for the championship while the losers play in the third-place match Saturday afternoon.
Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students. No league passes will be accepted.
Central Heights is new to the tournament taking the place of Cherryvale. Burlington defeated Pittsburg for the championship last year.
Anderson County, which has 15 IHS Invitational titles, beat Prairie View for third place a year ago. The Fillies went 1-2 in pool play last year.
Iola claimed third in the tournament in 2007. That came after a three-year run as IHS Invitational champion.
Current Fillies’ head coach Emily Sigg was part of that reign as she played on the IHS team that won it in 2004 and 2005.
