The Newton girls volleyball team begins their season today, hosting the Cardinal Early Bird Invitational. PCM, Saydel, and Des Moines Hoover are the other teams that will participate at Newton High School. Newton Head Coach Heidi Woollums has a young team, but says they’re eager to improve.

“The biggest thing with us is they have great attitudes right now. I have been so happy with the look on their faces, and how they come in ready and willing to do anything I ask them to do.”

Six seniors from last year’s Newton volleyball team are gone. Key returning varsity players for the Cardinals are senior setter Isabelle Rawlins, who earned All-Conference honorable mention honors a year ago, and middle hitters Addie Ratcliff and Emily Gross. 

Today’s Newton Cardinal Early Bird Invitational begins at 4:30 p.m. at Newton High School.