Class 2A: Dike-New Hartford dominant again, back in title game

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Dike-New Hartford volleyball team is doing its best.

Sure, the Wolverines are trying hard to win a third straight state championship in Class 2A.

But though it's obviously not on their radar, the girls are also making it hard for people to come up with new ways to describe just how dominant they've been. After all, after a second sweep at the state tournament – this time a 25-14, 25-19, 25-12 semifinal sweep of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont – DNH has been on the U.S. Cellular Center for less than two hours of real time.

'I think it's (taken) a lot of focus,' said Coach Diane Hams. 'We had some spurts throughout where we lost a little bit of focus and everything, but they refocused and got right back going. (It also took) the confidence that they have in themselves to be able to make the adjustments we need to make.'

Though both Iowa City Regina – the Wolverines' first-round victim – and EBF saw the brief runs of success Hams eluded too, it was clear the talent DNH trotted onto the floor surpassed their opponents by a considerable margin.

There is sometimes a worry, Hams said, in that situation that the girls will relax and not play to the level they're capable of. When that does happen, though, the girls know before their coach has the chance to tell them anything.

'Not too often, but occasionally you go through those little (spots) where you maybe aren't as crisp as you'd like to be or your focus isn't where it should be, but generally they refocus and get themselves going,' Hams said. 'They do a very good job of holding each other accountable and knowing what we need to do to close things out.'

When those moments do come, the thought process is a pretty simple one for the girls out on the floor.

Just because they have the talent they do, said senior middle hitter Ashley Dumler, doesn't guarantee a thing.

'We know we have to keep going until we're done. We can't slack off, we have to stay focused,' Dumler said. 'We (have to) just go out there and work as hard as we can. It's not done until we hit 25 (points).'

The marriage between focus and physical ability has the Wolverines in a third straight state championship match, and for a third time against Hull Western Christian.

The rivalry that's grown out of the last three years has the players excited – both Dumler and junior middle hitter Brooke Morgan said they can't wait for the rematch – and coaches already preparing.

'It's going to be a game of who makes the fewest errors and who can stay the most confident and aggressive throughout the match,' Hams said. 'It's a great rivalry. You know every time you play (Western Christian), you're going to have to be at your top because they're going to be coming at you.'

Dike-New Hartford will take on Western Christian for the Class 2A state title on Friday at 4 p.m.