Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Mid-Prairie leads small school volleyball list
Golden Hawks secure 1 coach, 3 players on All-Union team
The 2023 Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks volleyball season was golden indeed. After a handful of years of parity among area volleyball squads, Mid-Prairie shined brightest of all.
The 2023 All-Union volleyball team reflected the Golden Hawks’ big year, as Mid-Prairie took up four of the eight names on the All-Union list.
Mid-Prairie wasn’t alone, however. The 2023 squad includes two Van Buren County Warriors, a WACO Warrior and a Hillcrest Academy Raven.
COACH: Sherry Evans, Mid-Prairie
The 2023 Mid-Prairie volleyball team had a historic 2023, going 31-11 in the regular season and 6-3 in the River Valley Conference.
The Golden Hawks spent much of the season in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Class 3A Top-15 poll, and advanced all the way to the Region 6 championship match, falling just a couple of sets short of the state tournament.
CAPTAIN: Dakota Mitchell, junior, Mid-Prairie
It’s no secret that Mid-Prairie’s Dakota Mitchell is one of the best defensive players in the state of Iowa.
Mitchell was fantastic for the Golden Hawks in 2023. She finished the year with 639 digs, which was tops in Class 3A, and third-best statewide. She also finished the year with 55 service aces.
Jovi Evans, sophomore, Mid-Prairie
There was perhaps no Union area volleyball player more diverse than sophomore Jovi Evans, who shined no matter where she stood on the court.
Evans led the Golden Hawks with 674 assists on the year, paced the team with 376 kills, and finished second on the squad with 480 digs.
As if that wasn’t enough, Evans ended the year with 64 service aces, also best on the team.
Harper Pacha, sophomore, Mid-Prairie
Golden Hawk sophomore Harper Pacha was fantastic for Mid-Prairie at the net in 2023.
Pacha was one of the most dynamic hitters in the area, finishing with 331 kills. She was second on the team with 38 blocks, and finished the year with 49 service aces.
Ivy Davidson Davidson, senior, Van Buren County
Van Buren County didn’t have it easy this season, playing in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division, which proved to be one of the toughest leagues in the area.
Despite this, senior Ivy Davidson continued to show out. She was by far the most dynamic hitter on the team, finishing with 311 kills and 109 blocks. Both of those numbers led the Warriors this year.
Emma Wagler, senior, WACO
One of the top returners for WACO coming into this year was senior Emma Wagler, and she didn’t disappoint.
Wagler jumped to the lead in kills for the Warriors this season, finishing the year with 183. She was also great on the defensive end, tallying 35 blocks.
Malia Yoder, junior, Hillcrest Academy
Hillcrest Academy’s Malia Yoder has been a rising star for the Ravens, and she had her best year ever in 2023.
Yoder led the Ravens with 209 kills on the year. She had a great defensive year as well, tallying 302 digs, and finished second on the team in service aces, with 46.
Sophia Jirak, sophomore, Van Buren County
The future of Van Buren County volleyball looks bright, and that is partially thanks to having a strong young setter in sophomore Sophia Jirak.
Jirak proved herself time and time again this year. She set up her teammates with 534 assists on the season, one of the best marks in Southeast Iowa.
