You can check another box for the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk volleyball program. Monday night, the No. 8 in Class 3A Hawks traveled to Tipton and won their first ever River Valley Conference South Division Tournament championship. The Golden Hawks stopped West Liberty in three in the semis 25-22, 21-25 and 15-11 and then beat the No. 10 Wilton Beavers in the championship match 29-31, 25-20 and 15-13. Following the championship, Golden Hawk junior Katelyn Harland and freshman Jeorgia Evans talked with KCII Sports about how the Hawks found success.

Harland said, “These matches are definitely the most fun to play in because they are close and competitive and you have to play as a team. It’s so exciting when you get those big kills that mean so much. Our back row, setters and hitters were all on point. We realized what we needed to do and put it away. It definitely wasn’t easy but we worked together and that’s what matters.”

Evans added, “It’s a lot of fun when there’s a lot of energy and we’re in the middle of a comeback. I think tonight we all worked together more as a team. We talked more, our communication was better.”

Stat leaders on the night for the Golden Hawks included Jovi Evans with a team best 42 assists, to go with 30 digs, and 27 kills. Dakota Mitchell had a team-leading 36 digs. Avery Helmuth added 33 assists, Jeorgia Evans had 30 digs, a team-best four blocks and two aces. Callie Huber had a team-best 29 kills with three blocks and two aces. Harland led with four aces. With the two wins, Mid-Prairie is now 28-7 on the season and will travel to Maquoketa Thursday for the River Valley Conference Championship tournament.