The #2 (2A) Dike-New Hartford and South Hardin volleyball teams will battle to move within one win of a state tournament berth, as they meet in a Class 2A Region 2 semifinal on Monday. The match will air on 99 The Wave.
Dike-New Hartford (36-9) advanced with a 3-0 home win over South Central Calhoun in a regional quarterfinal on Wednesday, October 22. The Wolverines scoring production has been balanced with four attackers with over 200 kills. Abby Jensen with 3.4 kills and Rylee Reicks with 2.2 kills per set have set the tone. Ruby Varney has aided the Wolverines defensive response with 367 digs. DNH Head Coach Diane Harms.
“If we’re controlling what we’re able to take care of and control on our side of the net, usually it puts us in a pretty good position with whoever we’re facing. We just have to understand what’s happening in the game, take our chances and take our opportunities when they present themselves,” says Harms. “Then play within ourselves, let the game come to us and be aggressive. Have fun out there when they’re playing with each other, stay confident and stay aggressive.”
South Hardin (12-19) advanced with a 3-0 home win over South Hamilton in a regional quarterfinal on Wednesday, October 22. Emma Minteer with 2.3 kills and Nora Warburton with 2.2 kills per set lead the Tigers front line. Taya Hollingsworth has kept points alive for the Tigers with 270 digs. South Hardin Head Coach Cindy Holmes.
“We’ve been really focused on being better finishers, playing a full 25 points the same as we played the first 12. Our focus is to stay in system, take the offense at them as often as we can and work on their seams a little bit. We need to be smart about our instinctive play, trusting ourselves and what we see open,” says Holmes. “We know we’re going up against a really great team. I feel like the kind of team we have and the kind of season we’ve had is so resilient. I think we’re ready to battle all 25 points and then from there, just see what happens.”
This will be the second meeting this season, the Wolverines won the first meeting 2-0 in a home NICL triangular on September 9.
Pregame coverage will begin at 6:45 p.m. followed by the first serve at 7:00 p.m. in Dike. The winner will advance to face either Treynor or Westwood in a Class 2A regional final on Wednesday.
