The Tulip City volleyball teams found themselves locked into five-set matches to kick off the Little Hawkeye Conference season. No. 12 in 4A Pella defeated No. 15 in 5A Indianola (25-16, 19-25, 25-21, 10-25, 15-13), while it was Norwalk who edged out Pella Christian on Eagle Lane (25-19, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 9-15).

For the Lady Dutch on the road, it was a test between what should be likely two teams contending for top spots in the league this fall. Pella was paced by Bailey Van Voorst and her 11 kills and 20 digs. Ella Corbin added 8 kills, Courtney Paxton tallied three more blocks, Jasmine Namminga was 12-of-12 serving with six kills, and Meridith Rowe racked up six kills as well.

Over at Pella Christian High School, it was a tight match over all five sets, despite an ice cold start for the Eagles in the first.

Avey Amelse was dominant at the net, with 23 kills, followed by 13 from Sarah Gritters, and Kya Chamberlin assisted 39 points.

Pella Christian falls to 3-4 and turns around to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on Thursday, while 6-2 Pella is off until they hit the road to Norwalk on Tuesday.