The Tulip City rivalry renews as Pella and Pella Christian square off at the home of the Eagles in conference volleyball action tonight.

The 12-7 Lady Dutch, fresh off of a successful Ballard tournament, face a much-improved 7-9 Pella Christian team that dominated the North Mahaska tournament in straight sets.

Eagles Head Coach Cindy Nikkel tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the Lady Dutch have improved a lot since one year ago, mainly in their service and kill efficiency.

Pella Christian, after struggling against larger schools early in the season, have won seven of ten behind the big arm of AJ Horstman, who is second in the Little Hawkeye conference with 113. Pella High has two in the top ten of the same category, Freshman Emily Holterhaus at 99 and Senior McKenna Bogaard at 97.

The two have each picked up a win over the other in the past two seasons–the Eagles with a 3-1 win at Pella High last year, and the Lady Dutch with a 3-1 victory at PC’s home court in 2013. The varsity matchup of the Tulip City rivalry begins at 7:15 p.m. in the Pella Christian High School gym.