One of the top volleyball matchups in Iowa Thursday happens at Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman when Mid-Prairie hosts Wilton in River Valley Conference play for their annual “Dig Pink Cancer Awareness Night”. Mid-Prairie comes into action with an 8-5 overall record and 1-1 mark in River Valley play. The Hawks are ranked No. 15 in Class 3A in the most recent poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Last time out, Mid-Prairie fell in four sets last Thursday at No. 3 West Liberty. For the season, Mid-Prairie is led by sophomore Dakota Mitchell with 173 digs, ninth most in Class 3A. Senior Landry Pacha leads the Hawks with 124 assists and 77 kills with freshman Jovi Evans just behind at 119 assists and 69 kills. They are seventh and eighth respectively in the RVC in assists and seventh and ninth in kills. Senior Ella Groenewold is the team leader with 25 blocks, second in the River Valley.

Wilton is 14-1 this year, winners of seven straight and they stand at 2-0 in the RVC. They won their home tournament over the weekend going 5-0 with wins over Prince of Peace, Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Mediapolis and Winfield-Mt. Union. The Beavers are ranked No. 13 in Class 2A in the most recent poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. On the season they are led by junior Kaylee Coss with 323 assists, eighth most in Class 2A. Senior Taylor Drayfahl has 163 digs, third in the River Valley. Sophomore Kinsey Drake and senior Jozalynn Zaiser have a total of 191 kills and senior Olivia Oveson leads the Beavers at the net with 17 blocks, fourth in the RVC. Wilton has won 16 of the last 20 in the series including seven straight against Mid-Prairie with the Hawks last win coming in 2015. Action starts tonight at 7:15p.m. in Wellman.