Photo Courtesy of Mid-Prairie volleyball social media

The No. 8 in Class 3A Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk volleyball team was the best on Saturday in tournament action at New London. The Hawks claimed the Tiger Tourney title with an overall record of 4-1. The Golden Hawks were 2-1 in pool play with wins over Burlington Notre Dame 21-11 and 21-9 and Van Buren 21-13 and 21-6. Their lone loss on the day came at the hands of West Burlington 21-15 and 21-18. In the semifinals, the Hawks got back on track with a sweep of Winfield-Mt. Union 21-19 and 21-7 before getting revenge on the Falcons, winning the crown in three 23-21, 14-21 and 15-10. Top performers for the Hawks included Jovi Evans with 68 assists, 48 digs, 33 kills and six aces. Harper Pacha had 40 kills and 34 digs. Dakota Mitchell had 73 digs, Lanee Duwa added 43 digs and Avery Helmuth 43 assists. After the championship, the Golden Hawks are 24-4 on the year, and will host Regina in Wellman Thursday.

The Winfield-Mt. Union volleyball team went 2-2 on the day, before bowing out in the semis. In pool play, the Wolves beat Louisa-Muscatine 21-7 and 21-19 and English Valleys 19-21, 21-16 and 15-12. WMU fell to New London in three 21-19, 9-21 and 15-9. They were swept in the semis by eventual champion Mid-Prairie. Tessa Huston had 31 digs to lead the Wolves, Paycee Shlee had 28, Aurey Meeker 25, Kailey Neil 21 and Audrie Gipple 20. Meeker’s 22 assists led the way followed by 21 from Jessie Renken. Gipple had a team best 19 kills, Schlee eight aces and Renken and Lily Freeman two blocks each. WMU is now 15-12 on the year as they prepare for WACO tonight.