Dike-New Hartford posts another dominant win in state volleyball semifinals

CEDAR RAPIDS — Among all of the qualities that Dike-New Hartford has, this might be as impressive as any:

Unwavering focus.

There is no complacency, no boredom that you might see from a team that is so dominant.

“They just keep improving,” Coach Diane Harms said. “They were hard all the time on getting better at the little things, adding little new wrinkles.”

If the Wolverines continue to evolve, they’re going to continue to be extremely difficult to beat for a long time.

Top-ranked Dike-New Hartford dusted No. 6 Denver, 25-12, 25-10, 25-12, in a Class 2A semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

Peyton Petersen accumulated 37 kills, and the Wolverines (53-1) moved into Thursday’s championship match opposite No. 3 Western Christian (40-5).

» Photo gallery: Dike-New Hartford vs. Denver in state volleyball tournament

First serve is 4:45 p.m.

DNH and Western have combined for the last 11 2A championships.

“There are a lot of good teams in 2A,” Harms said. “They’re all versatile and return so much.”

And the Wolverines are the best of all of them, by a wide margin. In their five matches here through the past two seasons, all have been sweeps, and only one opponent has scored in the 20s in any set.

But still, no boredom and no complacency.

“We always have to stay on top of our game,” libero Lexie Fager said. “We all have to do our jobs.”

Setter Madelyn Norton said, “We love competing, no matter who our opponent is. And we’re all confident in each other.”

There’s plenty of reason for confidence. Sophomore twins Payton and Jadyn Petersen are two of the best players — any grade, any class.

Payton collected 17 kills and 12 digs; Jadyn added six kills. Norton distributed 26 assists.

Denver (37-8) brought six starters back from last year’s runner-up team. Kayla Knowles led the Cyclones with eight kills.

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Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com