Photo courtesy of Troy L. Hugen Photography

The Pella Christian volleyball season is set to begin Saturday with the Skip Anderson Invitational in Bondurant. 

The Class 2A #8 ranked Eagles are one of just eight teams in the preseason rankings that are set to compete in the tournament. Three teams from the Class 4A poll will be in the field with #2 Indianola, the #10 ranked hosts, and #11 North Polk. Other ranked teams in attendance include Class 1A #2 ranked Holy Trinity and #15 North Tama, Class 2A #12 Wapsie Valley, Class 3A #10 Red Oak. 

In pool play, Pella Christian will face just one of the ranked teams in attendance. The Eagles begin the invitational against Burlington Notre Dame, before facing North Tama in their second match. Pella Christian then wraps up pool play with a matchup against Williamsburg. While the Eagles are hoping to outdo last season’s 2-4 performance at this tournament, head coach Erica Boer says the team is focused on giving their all in every match.

“We’ve talked about with our passion giving 100%. That means winning with 100%, but that also means losing with 100%. And so, we go in knowing we might not always come out with a win, but if we’re willing to give 100% and put it on the line, that regardless, we’re going to get better in those matches.”

Pella Christian’s first game against Burlington Notre Dame at Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Saturday morning is set for 8 a.m.