Looking ahead: River Valley South Volleyball

The River Valley Conference South brings back a ton of talent in 2023 as the majority of statistical top 10s in kills, assists and digs return.

When it comes to hitting this season, seven of the top 10 from a year ago return.

That includes the top two in Regina’s Reese Naeve (442 kills) and West Liberty’s Sophie Buysse (313 kills).

Also in the mix will be Mid-Prairie sophomore Jovi Evans. A year ago Evans finished ninth in overall kills with 202. The Golden Hawks also lose Landry Pacha, who finished fourth on the list a year prior.

Six of the top 10 leading assists creators return. For Mid-Prairie it marks the loss of Pacha once again and the return of Evans.

Pacha was seventh on last year’s list, while Evans followed close behind in eighth.

In the digs department, seven of the 10 top defensive players make a comeback.

Of those seven are Mid-Prairie junior Dakota Mitchell. Mitchell was second in the RVC South with 630 digs.

Evan also graced the digs list, coming in at number eight.

Last year, West Liberty won out with an undefeated conference record.

The Comets were also the lone team to make the state tournament, falling to eventual state runner-up Sioux Center in the quarterfinals.

Mid-Prairie will be right there as well. The Golden Hawks return a hefty amount of talent in 2023. They finished second last time around before falling to state champion Davenport Assumption in the regional final.

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Other teams to look out for are Wilton and Regina Catholic, who bring back much of their statistical leaders as well.

2022 River Valley South Standings

1. West Liberty 8-0

2. Mid-Prairie 7-2

3. Wilton 4-4

4. Regina Catholic 3-5

5. West Branch 6-3

6. Tipton 1-6

7. Durant 0-8

2022 RVC SOUTH KILL LEADERS

1. Reese Naeve (9), Regina Catholic 442

2. Sophie Buysse (10), West Liberty 313

3. Iva Senio (12), West Branch 279

4. Landry Pacha (12), Mid-Prairie 264

5. Maelyn Wainwright (11), West Liberty 246

6. Ava Morrison (10), West Liberty 233

7. Avary Calonder (11), Tipton 232

8. Kinsey Drake (10), Wilton 227

9. Jovi Evans (9), Mid-Prairie 202

9. Jozalynn Zaiser (12), Wilton 202

2022 RVC SOUTH ASSISTS

1. Brooklyn Buysse (12), West Liberty 912

2. Sydney Wagner (11), Regina Catholic 870

3. Ava Finley (12), West Branch 665

4. Kaylee Coss (11), Wilton 623

5. Paycee Sorgenfrey (9), Tipton 503

6. Kennedy Jehle (11), Durant 445

7. Landry Pacha (12), Mid-Prairie 407

8. Jovi Evans (9), Mid-Prairie 370

9. Lilly Kraft (9), Wilton 130

10. Monica Morales (12), West Liberty 91

2022 RVC SOUTH DIGS LEADERS

1. Monica Morales (12), West Liberty 650

2. Dakota Mitchell (10), Mid-Prairie 630

3. Taylor Drayfahl (12), Wilton 402

4. Madelynn Falco (10), West Branch 389

5. Laci Chambliss (10), Regina Catholic 348

6. Jovi Evans (9), Mid-Prairie 346

7. Sophie Buysse (10), West Liberty 325

8. Rylee Goodale (12), West Liberty 321

9. Alyse Klinkkammer (11), West Branch 303

10. Kinsey Drake (10), Wilton 301

Bold = Eligible Returner