Mid-Prairie finishes first in Keota Volleyball Tournament

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 8/26/21

The Mid-Prairie volleyball team opened the season with three straight victories and a first-place trophy in Keota on Monday. 

Ella Groenewold, Maddie Nonnenmann, and Maya Nonnenmann each had …

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Mid-Prairie finishes first in Keota Volleyball Tournament

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The Mid-Prairie volleyball team opened the season with three straight victories and a first-place trophy in Keota on Monday. 

Ella Groenewold, Maddie Nonnenmann, and Maya Nonnenmann each had double-digit kills for the Golden Hawks, but coach Sherry Evans saw contributions from all around the court during the 3-0 start. 

“My back row so far has been on it,” Evans said.

“They’re doing different kinds of serve receive, we’re challenging and doing two man to three man.

“Very pleased with my front row and their blocking, especially in our Highland match. We did a lot better in that match, and they attacked us a little bit more than our other matches.”

After defeating Lone Tree and Highland in pool play, Mid-Prairie beat Keota 25-17, 25-19 in the tournament championship game. Junior setter Landry Pacha led the Golden Hawks with four kills in the first-place match. 

“Brenna Jehle stepped up setting so we could have another setter and give Landry Pacha an opportunity to have some swings,” Evans explained. “Landry Pacha just always amazes me. She can set, hit, dig. She can do it all.”

After playing back-to-back matches to start the day, the Golden Hawks had to watch the next two games before facing Keota. 

“We had quite a long break in between matches, so I think we kind of started out a little flat,” Evans said. “Again, we kind of regrouped and they started doing things better. Mainly the talking — that communication on the court where we could run that quicker tempo and get some hits off and ultimately win that match.”

Maddie and Maya Nonnenmann each had four kills during Mid-Prairie’s 25-19, 25-11 win over Lone Tree in the first match. Each finished with 11 kills for the day. Groenewold had seven of her 13 kills during 25-11, 25-14 sets over Highland. 

“I think initially we started off a little nervous, getting those first game jitters out of the way,” Evans said about the win over Lone Tree.  

“We came out a little flat, but we did enough things well to win that match. And then we came out on fire against Highland.”

Mid-Prairie scored the first five straight points in the match and led 17-4 before Highland was able to score its first back-to-back points of the set. 

The Golden Hawks (3-0) host Washington on Thursday, August 26.