Morgan returns; DNH handles West Branch

CEDAR RAPIDS - For the first time in nearly two months, Dike-New Hartford played with a full deck.

'We had to adjust a little bit, but luckily we had some practice to get ready,” said DNH senior Rachel Koop. 'Luckily, Brooke (Morgan) is such a good player, I don't think it took her long to get into rhythm.”

A 6-foot-5 difference-maker, Morgan came off the shelf to help top-rated Dike-New Hartford sweep No. 8 West Branch, 25-21, 21-19, 21-18, in a Class 2A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Morgan's last appearance in a match was Sept. 15 before suffering a broken foot.

'She did well today,” said DNH Coach Diane Harms. 'She doesn't have the touches right now, but she has a good, strong understanding of the game.

'It was a tough call, because the three kids that had filled in for her and done such a good job. I tried to find time for all of them.”

Morgan collected eight kills and three blocks.

The three-time defending champion, Dike-New Hartford (38-3) will face No. 4 Unity Christian in a semifinal match at 4 p.m. Thursday. Unity (32-5) outlasted No. 5 Eddyville EBF in five sets Wednesday.

West Branch finished 34-6. The Bears competed and fought Wednesday. But they couldn't finish when the opportunities presented themselves.

'We definitely battled the whole time,” said Maddy Russell, the lone senior starter. 'We needed to put up a fight. It was really important not to give up.”

West Branch shot to an 11-5 lead in the first game, but the Wolverines quickly righted themselves, tied it at 14-14, then won it going away.

The Bears had another crack at a set win, scoring six straight points for an 18-15 advantage in Game 2. But again, the Wolverines answered. This time, it was a 10-1 blitz to close the set.

'We put ourselves in a position to win either of the first two sets,” said Bears Coach Josh Lukavsky. 'Then we put ourselves in a big hole in the third set.”

Dike-New Hartford is stacked with talent. Morgan will play at the University of Wisconsin next season while Koop (six kills, 33 assists) and Briana Weber (15 kills, 18 digs) will head to UNI.

Russell collected 11 kills, Haley Poula 10 for the Bears. Poula added 15 digs.

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