For the last few seasons, Knoxville Volleyball has beefed up its schedule to get ready for the class 4A run in the postseason. The South Central Conference will also provide a challenge with a more balanced conference, but still Knoxville’s non-conference schedule, which includes several road meets, will test the Panthers. Meets like the Des Moines Christian Invitational, which added Pella this season, Waukee Invitational, which Knoxville will see several class 5A schools, and the Panthers own invitational at the end of the season has state powers Union, Ballard, Holy Trinity and Roland-Story just to name a few. Coach Mollie Keitges tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the Panthers’ schedule is no joke.

Keitges: “There’s not a tournament that we’re going to that we’re not going to see a couple of ranked teams, we’re going to Waukee so we’re not afraid to see some 5A teams. Our tournament at the end of the season is a gauntlet, so we’re going to have to play really good volleyball.”

The Panthers will start with a quad at Ottumwa on August 26th. Along with the host Bulldogs, they will see Oskaloosa and Carlisle. Listen for Knoxville volleyball and all fall sports coverage on KNIA/KRLS.