Mid-Prairie’s class 3A regional volleyball opener Monday against Tipton was a back and forth affair all night, but at the most important time, the Hawks found a way to make things swing back in their favor and take out the Tigers for a five set victory. The Tigers took the first set 25-22, only to see the Hawks rebound with a 25-21 victory in the second set to even things at one each. Tipton then took the third set 25-22, putting Mid-Prairie on the brink of elimination, but the Hawks didn’t blink, winning the fourth 25-11 and the deciding fifth 15-12 to advance. After the match, Mid-Prairie senior Alyssa McDowell talked about the intensity of the match, her team’s resolve and the feeling of getting the win. “We definitely didn’t play like we thought we were going to tonight, but the fact that we were able to go through it and keep the momentum and finish out the way we wanted to is great. That’s all I wanted for this team. I’m a senior and this is our first time past the first round and I’m so psyched and ready to go get West Liberty Wednesday. I was determined not to make tonight my last game.”

She had eight kills and was one of six Golden Hawks to finish with six or more, led by 12 from Maya Nonnenmann. Landry Pacha posted 38 assists and Lanee Duwa and Dakota Mitchell each had 22 digs. After the match, Mid-Prairie head coach Sherry Evans talked about the team effort. “We spread the ball around really well. Landry Pacha does a really good job of that and when you can be a threat at every position hitting-wise, they can’t cheat a block. We don’t have to rely on just one hitter to put it away. Maddie Nonnenmann had one of the best games I have ever seen her have. I told Landry (Pacha) not to let that fire go out, keep setting her. I believe our girls are so capable of next level volleyball and I’m excited to see what they can do on Wednesday at West Liberty.”

With the win, the Hawks are now 16-13 on the year as Tipton ends their season at 9-24. This is the first playoff win for the Hawks since a 2014 first round victory over Albia. Mid-Prairie advances to the regional semifinals Wednesday at West Liberty to meet the No. 7 Comets. West Liberty swept Washington in the opening round of the playoffs Monday.