Area teams battle in New London

NEW LONDON — A handful of area teams were in New London on Saturday for the Tigers’ annual tournament. A finals appearance by Mid-Prairie and a 3-1 day by New London highlighted the day.

Mid-Prairie ended the tournament at 3-2 with both losses coming to eventual champion No. 9 (3A) West Burlington.

The Golden Hawks lost a heartbreaker to the Falcons in pool play, falling 21-14, 15-21, 16-14. Maya Nonnenmann had 12 kills in that game, and Landry Pacha dished out 33 assists.

Mid-Prairie had another shot at the Falcons in the tournament finals. West Burlington took that game 21-18, 21-13.

Mid-Prairies’ shot at the finals came after the Golden Hawks beat New London in an exciting three-setter, taking down the hosting Tigers 21-15, 9-21, 15-13.

Mid-Prairie’s Alyssa McDowell had 10 kills against New London. The Tigers were led by a seven-kill game from Natalie Burden.

Mid-Prairie also picked up two-set sweeps over both Highland and Van Buren County.

New London had three sweeps in pool play. The Tigers knocked off English Valleys, Louisa-Muscatine and Winfield-Mount Union, all 3-0.

WMU finished the tournament 2-2 with two-set wins over Louisa-Muscatine and English Valleys but two-set losses to New London and West Burlington.

Van Buren County had one win on the day, a 21-16, 21-13 sweep of Highland. The Huskies went winless.