Photo Courtesy of Mid-Prairie Volleyball Social Media

Coming off of arguably their best season in program history in 2023, the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk volleyball team is poised for more big things in 2024. The Golden Hawks are ranked No. 6 in Class 3A this week by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union in their preseason poll. Mid-Prairie was ranked in every IGHSAU poll a season ago, climbing as high as No. 8.

The Hawks won a school record 31 matches in 2023 and earned a share of their first conference championship since 2002, scoring double digit victories against ranked squads. The Golden Hawks finished in the top 10 of 3A in a dozen different team and individual stat categories, leading 3A in digs, aces and kill efficiency, while finishing second in total kills and assists. Five Mid-Prairie players were named All-River Valley Conference last year, and four of them return, including RVC Player of the Year Dakota Mitchell, who led the state in digs, Jovi Evans, Callie Huber and Harper Pacha. Mitchell, Evans and Pacha were also named All-Southeast District by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association and Class 3A All-State. Head coach Sherry Evans was RVC Coach of the Year and IGCA Southeast District Coach of the Year.

The Hawks open the season Thursday with a tournament at Pella.