Photo Courtesy of Mid-Prairie Volleyball Social Media

An argument could be made that the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk volleyball team started 2022 a bit under the radar while putting together their best season in the last 18 years. In 2023, they are listed among the best in 3A to start the year, grabbing the No. 11 spot in the first top 15 poll, issued this week by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Mid-Prairie went 27-11 a season ago, their most wins since 2004, advancing to the 3A regional finals, their deepest playoff run since the same season, before falling to eventual state champion Davenport Assumption. En route to the big year, the Hawks broke a 14-year losing streak to West Branch, a six-year losing streak to Wilton, won their 10th straight over rival Washington and swept Iowa City Regina on the Regal’s senior night. Mid-Prairie won six matches over ranked teams and spent more than half of the year ranked themselves, finishing 11th in the final 3A poll, and runners-up at the River Valley Conference Tournament.

Four players were named All-River Valley Conference including returners Dakota Mitchell and Jovi Evans. That pair also claimed All-District honors, with Mitchell named All-State. Mitchell finished the season averaging 6.5 digs per set, tied for most in the state. Her total of 630 digs were second in the state, reaching the 1,000 career dig milestone in October. Evans compiled a combined total of 961 assists, kills, digs and aces, most by any 3A freshman.

The Golden Hawks open the season tomorrow night when they host the Washington Demons at Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman. Action is set to start at 7:15p.m.