Photo Courtesy of MP Sports Social Media (Nicole Miller)

The red hot Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk volleyball team returns to River Valley Conference play tonight when they travel to Tipton to meet the Tigers. The Hawks come in with a 19-3 overall record, winners of 11 straight, after going 5-0 to claim the South Tama Tournament championship Saturday, with wins over Waterloo East, Lisbon, Belle Plaine, Grinnell and South Tama. Mid-Prairie is ranked No. 9 this week in the latest Class 3A poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Statistically, the Golden Hawks have compiled 1009 digs, eighth most in 3A, 682 kills, second most in 3A, a state leading 662 assists, a state leading 174 aces and 121 blocks. Individual leaders include sophomore Jovi Evans with 353 assists and 195 kills. Junior Dakota Mitchell leads with 323 digs and 41 aces, both totals are fourth most in 3A. Junior Callie Huber has a team best 45 blocks.

Tipton is 14-10 this year. In tournament action at North Cedar Saturday, the Tigers were 3-2 with wins over Midland, Springville and Starmont and losses to Edgewood-Colesburg and Iowa City Regina. This season Tipton has 815 digs, 555 kills, 508 assists, 127 aces and 108 blocks. Individually, sophomore Paycee Sorgenfrey has a team best 344 assists and 35 aces, sixth most in Class 3A, senior Avary Calonder leads with 253 kills, fourth in 3A, senior Carly Langenberg has 205 digs, and sophomore Zoe Holstein 37 blocks.

The Hawks have beaten the Tigers five straight times, including a four set win in 2022. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. in Tipton.