WELLMAN

The conference championship drought has ended for Mid-Prairie volleyball.

Though they must share the title with three other teams after losing 3-1 to the Regina Catholic Regals on Thursday, Oct. 5. A win against the Regals meant sole-possession of the conference for Mid-Prairie.

The other teams in the tie are Regina, Wilton, and West Liberty.

Against Regina, the Hawks took the first set 22-25 but Regina was a problem throughout. Regina would conclude the match by winning the final three sets with scores of 30-28, 29-27 and 25-17.

“I just wanted to go out and play and we didn’t do that tonight,” head coach Sherry Evans said. “We let way too many balls drop in the back row. I think we just didn’t do a very good job adjusting to what they were throwing at us. We knew that they have good hitters on the outside. They were very unstoppable tonight, and we didn’t adjust very well defensively. Too many mistakes in crucial times.”

Sophomores Laurin Fay and Callie Huber both had good games, combining for some big blocks against Regina while Huber added some much-needed kills, switching it up from her usual power kills to lightly tapping the ball into Regina’s zone, exposing weak points in their defense.

It was senior Paige Safly that stood out for Evans the most.

“Laurin [Fay] came in, had some key blocks for us. Callie [Huber] is always one of our go-to players, she did a really good job swinging for us,” Evans said. “I think Paige Safly did a great job swinging. Safly, of all our players, kept her composure the best in the front row.”

This game represented the second annual “Cancer Awareness Night” for the Hawks. They wore vibrant pink jerseys with libero Dakota Mitchell sporting a black jersey outlined in pink.

Clear Creek Amana Tournament, 10/7

The Hawks partook in the Clear Creek Amana Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 7. Six teams took part in the tournament.

Uncommon for Mid-Prairie was not coming on top of the weekend tourney.

Host No. 1 Clear Creek Amana at 4A remains perfect after placing first. They’re 40-0 and have lost just three sets all season. They beat Mid-Prairie 2-0 but not before Mid-Prairie gave them a scare, taking a late 19-18 lead before the Clippers eventually won 21-19. They’d win set two 21-11.

Mid-Prairie was next tasked with the Central DeWitt Sabers (7-15), easily winning 2-0 with scores of 21-8 and 21-7. Set two began with an incredible play from Jovi Evans when the sophomore stuck her foot out to a quickly dissenting ball, ascending it back in the air and allowing junior Dakota Mitchell to kill it.

Mid-Prairie would also beat Iowa Valley (7-21), 2-0 with scores of 21-10 and 21-5.

The Golden Hawks played No. 5 in 4A North Scott (19-3), losing 2-0 with scores of 21-12 and 21-13.

The Hawks also lost to No. 8 in 3A Union Community (27-9) with scores of 21-19 and 21-17.

River Valley Conference Tournament Day 1, 10/9

The Golden Hawks hosted day one of the RVC South Tournament, heavy hitters in full cast. In bracket style, the Hawks first matchup was slated against the Durant Wildcats whom the Hawks defeated 2-0 with both set scores reflecting 21-10.

Their next matchup was against West Liberty. West Liberty defeated West Branch 2-1 in their first match and this game would decide who played Regina in the finals.

The Hawks lost 2-0 but not before fighting to the last kill. The set scores were 25-23 and 30-28. When trading blows, Mid-Prairie couldn’t quite finish.

“I think we had a lost opportunity where we could have started out early against West Liberty when we played them but they’re a good, solid team, so I’m not disappointed, but I’m disappointed,” Evans said. “We played hard. There are a few things that we could have tweaked a little bit, but ultimately, they got us tonight.”

West Liberty would beat Regina 2-1 to claim first place.

Mid-Prairie’s next match took place against Tipton to decide third place. Tipton knocked off Wilton who finished last in order to play Mid-Prairie. Mid-Prairie would win with set scores of 25-18 and 25-20, securing third place.

After the games were over, Mid-Prairie celebrated a few player milestones. One for junior Lanee Duwa who reached 600 digs. The other for junior Callie Huber with her 100th block.

Preview

To this point in the season, Jovi Evans leads the team in kills (314) assists (560) and aces (52), Dakota Mitchell leads in digs with 514 and Callie Huber leads in blocks with 66.

They’ll take their talents on the road for day two of the RVC tournament which will feature north and south teams on Thursday, Oct. 12, at Northeast Community Schools in Goose Lake, Iowa.

“I’m hoping that we can just work on those little things that we need to put together and maybe just surprise people to come out and win, that’s what I want,” Evans said.

Afterwards, Mid-Prairie will rest up and focus on the playoffs, the reason for the season, which begins for Mid-Prairie on Tuesday, Oct. 17 against Saydel. Mid-Prairie will play at home.

“[This is] everything that they’ve been working all season for and hopefully we can get it put together and win that first match, second match, and then ultimately win regional finals,” Evans said. “I think they’re excited to play in front of the home crowd all the way out. Hopefully, we get that golden state banner.”