This week, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association released their first set of rankings for the upcoming high school volleyball season, and for the first time in many seasons, the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks found their name on the list. Mid-Prairie is ranked No. 14 in Class 3A to start the season. The Hawks finished last year 16-14, their first winning campaign since 2008. The season included advancing to the championship rounds of the River Valley Conference tournament for the first time in program history and the school’s first playoff win since 2014.

The Golden Hawks had five all-conference players in 2021, and four of those five are back this season. They were led by 212 kills from junior Ella Groenewold who was an Elite All-River Valley Conference selection last season. Her 105 blocks were fourth most in Class 3A. Freshman Dakota Mitchell was best on the team and sixth in 3A with 463 digs, helping her earn Elite All-River Valley Conference honors. Junior Landry Pacha led the Mid-Prairie setters with 614 assists, reaching the 1,000 career helper milestone late in the year as an All-RVC South pick. Junior Maya Nonnenmann was an honorable mention RVC South Division selection.

The other schools in the poll include No. 1 Mount Vernon, No. 2 Des Moines Christian, No. 3 West Liberty, No. 4 Davenport Assumption, No. 5 Sioux Center, No. 6 Unity Christian, No. 7 Sheldon, No. 8 New Hampton, No. 9 Davis County, No. 10 Osage, No. 11 Nevada, No. 12 Atlantic, No. 13 Union and No. 15 Benton. The Golden Hawks get their season started Thursday in a rivalry matchup on the road against the Washington Demons.