If once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence and three times is a pattern…what is 27? The answer for the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk volleyball team is that it’s no longer their problem. Tuesday night at Tim Grady Gymnasium, the Hawks cracked the Comet’s code, snapping a 27 match losing streak, in a four set win over No. 11 West Liberty. The Golden Hawks got the victory over their conference rivals, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19 and 25-21. Following the match, Mid-Prairie head coach Sherry Evans talked about her message to the team late, and how it felt to get the win. “I told the girls we are Mid-Prairie volleyball, we play to win! Just go do it! It’s a really good feeling. It’s a good milestone for our program. We still have things to work on, but I think we came out ready. It was awesome. I have goosebumps!”

Statistically, the Hawks were paced by sophomore Jovi Evans with 16 kills and 15 assists. Junior Callie Huber delivered 12 kills and sophomore Harper Pacha 10. Sophomore Avery Helmuth finished with 12 assists. Junior defender Dakota Mitchell had 15 digs and fellow junior Lanee Duwa ended with 10. Pacha, Helmuth and sophomore Katelyn Harland all had four aces. After the match, Helmuth and Huber talked about their roles, the team’s play and how it felt to get the win. Huber said, “We’ve lost to them as long as I can remember and we just wanted to beat them so bad. I think we realized we were right on the verge of beating them and that it was possible this year. We got very excited. I feel like we got over this hump that’s stopped us every year. Our serve receivers are amazing. Our defense is amazing. Avery did amazing setting. (As a hitter) I have to block and figure out where they are, where I’m going to hit, if I’m going to tip it, where the set is, but also I want to hit it hard.”

Helmuth added, “I think early we just all had nerves. We all had energy later and it was very helpful, and we played together. It felt like such a relief to beat them. We’ve been working on connections and communication at practice which was so helpful during this game. Our connections have gotten a lot better between the setters and hitters. (As a setter) I’m just looking to run fast and decide which one is my strongest hitter.”

The win is the first for Mid-Prairie over West Liberty since 2009, the first for the Hawks over the Comets in Wellman since 2008, moving Mid-Prairie to 8-2 on the year, West Liberty is now 7-5. The Hawks are next on the court Saturday at Iowa City West.