After closing out one of the best volleyball careers in Mid-Prairie history, Golden Hawk star Dakota Mitchell signed her letter of intent this fall to continue her athletic and academic career at the University of North Texas in Denton.

During her time with the Hawks, Mitchell, a four-year-starter, finished with 2,297 digs, 337 assists and 195 aces. She led Mid-Prairie in digs all four years of her career, finishing in the top 10 in the state in total digs and digs per set every season, including leading Class 3A in both categories as a junior and digs per set as a sophomore. Her highwater mark was 639 digs in her junior season, but she topped 500 three times and 600 twice. Mitchell led the Golden Hawks in aces twice, finishing with at least 50 three times, in each of those years finishing in the top eight of 3A.

Mitchell finished her career as a four-time All-River Valley Conference player, each time earning Elite or First-team status including being named 2023 River Valley Conference Player of the Year. She was a three-time All-District and All-State performer, named First-team All-State in Class 3A twice. She was part of a Golden Hawk team that won back-to-back Conference titles for the first time in program history, posted a school record 33 wins in 2024 and qualified for the State Tournament for the first time since 2004. Following her signing ceremony, Mitchell spoke with KCII Sports about the recruiting process and what has her most excited for college.

Mitchell said, “Fifteen’s year was when I started making videos and putting myself out there. Sixteen’s year, recruiting got a little more intense. You could actually talk to coaches at that point. I went there (North Texas) for camp two years ago, I fell in love with the coaches, they fell in love with me. On June 15th they called me and they offered me and I was like ‘Wow!’. They loved the little Iowa girl in me. It was a really fun process. I would do it all over again, and I had an amazing recruiting coordinator to help me. I’m excited for college volleyball because the game is faster. I’m looking to forward to being in a competitive atmosphere 24/7, meeting new people and becoming life-long friends with my new teammates.”

Mitchell is still undecided on her academic focus at UNT. The Mean Green finished last season 10-18.