Dike-New Hartford returns to state semifinals

CEDAR RAPIDS - Dike-New Hartford took a step it hasn't for awhile.

The Wolverines boast one of the top volleyball programs in the state, but the last two of their 22 state tournament appearance ended after one match. They stopped that end.

Third-ranked Dike-New Hartford swept No. 10 West Liberty, 25-22, 25-14, 25-22, in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 2A state quarterfinals Thursday night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. The Wolverines advanced to the semifinal round since placing second in 2008.

“We're really excited to get there,” DNH senior Kaity Brouwer said. “I hope we keep winning and do the best we can.”

Brouwer, along with starters Abbie Perez and Sara Koch, were just freshmen when the Wolverines advanced this far. The team was focused on returning to the final four. They play Lake Mills (45-0) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“This is my first year playing and making it passed this round,” Brouwer said. “It was definitely our goal to get on to that next step.”

The Wolverines, which has a school-record 42 wins, started slow, trailing West Liberty 6-1. The Comets forced them out of their rhythm early on, but they were able to put together a couple rallies to claim the first set.

“They were very nervous, but they pulled it together,” DNH outside hitter Briana Weber said. “We played well.”

Weber, a freshman, led the team with 14 kills and 13 digs, and Brouwer added 10 kills. Perez helped feed the Wolverine hitters, amassing 37 assists, as they found their stride in the second.

DNH controlled the tempo, building 13-6 and 20-10 leads. Brouwer said communication was the key, and the better it got the more settled they were in their offense.

“When we were talking well we were able to play our own game,” Brouwer said. “We were able to run our own things and work quickly.”

West Liberty tried to stave off elimination, jumping to a 4-1 lead and eclipsing a three-point lead to tie it 22-22 in the third. Weber scored a kill to break the tie, propelling the Wolverines to the final three points.

DNH took advantage of West Liberty miscues with ball control.

“We gave away too many free balls,” West Liberty Coach Ruben Galvan said. “When you have a high-quality team like Dike you can't do that or you're going to be playing defense or they are going to hit the ball straight down at you.”

Galvan said he liked the energy the Comets played in the first game and the momentum they created during a brief rally in the third. Senior leader Gina Montangna powered the Comets with 10 kills, and was a source of the aggressiveness and fight that made Galvan happy.

“I thought we never stopped swinging,” Galvan said. “We had a game plan and they stuck with it.”

The Comets were overcome with emotion as they shared hugs after the loss. The team shared a strong bond, and one Montangna said was like a family. Montangna, one of two seniors on the roster, had many feelings racing through her mind.

“Happy, sad, and I can't be more proud of them,” Montangna said. “This was our toughest game. Probably the best game we've played all year.”

It has been a special year for the Comets. They made their first state appearance since 1999 and the sixth in school history. West Liberty closed the season 27-11. Long after fans had filed out of the arena, Montangna stared up at the scoreboard and took her time leaving court side.

“I couldn't ask for a better senior year,” Montangna said. “Every single one of these players is amazing in their own way and they contribute to this team. This season was fantastic.”

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