Mid-Prairie 8th-grader Jaycee Flynn rises up for blocks

IOWA CITY

When Mid-Prairie was swept by Regina Catholic in a River Valley South volleyball match Tuesday in Iowa City, the Golden Hawks caught a glimpse of their future.

While Iowa State recruit Jeorgia Evans led Mid-Prairie with 15 kills and 20 digs, eighth grader Jaycee Flynn rose up with a strong game at the net that included a career-high 4 blocks and 5 kills.

Flynn became the first eighth grader in Iowa Class 3A history, and the third overall, to have 4 blocks in one match.

In a year when eighth graders were permitted to play varsity volleyball for the first time, Flynn was the only middle schooler to make Mid-Prairie’s varsity team.

The Golden Hawks (11-10, 2-3 River Valley South) lost to Iowa 2A 11^th-ranked Regina, 25-19, 25-23, 25-21.

Mid-Prairie’s defense slowed down the Regals’ offense. Flynn combined with freshman Ashlee Statler, juniors Sierra Crowner and Tessa Bombei, and senior Morgyn Bender for 11 blocks. Statler, Crowner and Bender combined for three straight blocks and then won a point in the first set.

Flynn delivered a back-to-back kill and block in the second set for a pair of points that trimmed a Regina four-point lead to two points.

“Our blocking tonight was probably as good as it’s ever been,” co-head coach Zeb Evans said.

The Golden Hawks will host West Branch (6-9, 1-3) on Thursday night (Pink Out Cancer Awareness Night).