Staff writer
Hillsboro got off to the right start by placing third at Hesston’s preseason tournament.
The Trojans dropped their first set against Haven 28-26, but took the next two 25-12, 25-20.
Their lone loss in group-play came against Smoky Valley, where they lost in three sets.
Thanks to a 3-1 record, Hillsboro advanced to play the winner of pool B, Nickerson.
In a back-and-forth battle, the Trojans celebrated a 25-20 win, but the tall, athletic Nickerson team came back to defeat the Trojans 25-19, 25-17.
The loss moved Hillsboro to the third-place match, where the team came up against Smoky Valley for the second time.
The Trojans fought for a more fortuitous outcome the second time around, and pulled out a win in straight sets, 25-23, 25-21.
Hillsboro begins the season with a 4-2 record.