Highland freshman Peyton Brun and teammate Sarah Burton could be among the rising stars at this week’s Southeast Iowa Super Conference volleyball tournament.

Brun leads the Huskies with 21 blocks and is among the top three freshmen in Class 1A.

A 5-foot-8 front-line player, Brun began the season on the junior varsity squad. It didn’t take long for her to move up to the varsity.

“She gets hands on the ball, which is definitely what we need on varsity, especially with her height and with her vertical (jump),” said Highland coach Gina Trow. “That way, it comes down to her just moving with the ball. She’s still learning.”

In last week’s loss to Winfield-Mt. Union, Brun had a match-high four blocks. Her vertical reach is above any of the players on either team.

Burton has shined as well, getting 17 kills in eight matches to rank tied for second on the team.

The Huskies (2-7) are seeded No. 15 in the tournament and will face No. 3 WACO and No. 10 Wapello in pool play Thursday at WACO.

Also in the tournament are No. 13 Lone Tree, which will play No. 1 Holy Trinity and No. 12 Van Buren on Thursday at Holy Trinity, and No. 18 Hillcrest Academy, which will play No. 6 Central Lee and No. 7 Notre Dame on Thursday at Central Lee.

The finals are Saturday.

The pool round on Thursday consists of each team playing two opponents. The top team from each of six pools advances to the final round.