CEDAR RAPIDS -- It was everything it was supposed to be.Dike-New Hartford came back from two sets down, then survived a match point in the final game to outlast Western Christian in a breathtaking Class 2A championship classic, 18-25, 18-25, 25-18, 27-15, 16-14, at the ...

CEDAR FALLS - Practice makes perfect.For Iowa City Regina, it was practice that led to the perfect call to maintain its perfect record.The top-ranked Regals converted a 4th-and-19 play to open the final quarter, igniting a 21-point explosion that secured a 42-21 win over No. ...

CEDAR RAPIDS – It’s machine-like. Three sets, three wins, repeat the next match.  Only twice this season has Dike-New Hartford had to play four sets. Each time it always ends with a win. Even the post match interviews are robotic. Cliché here, company line there, just ...

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Next year, there will be Ankeny High and Ankeny Centennial."It's different, kind of sad," said Megan Ballenger. "This will be the last time I get to play with some of these girls. We've played together a long time."Right now, it's Ankeny United.The top-ranked ...

DIKE -- Big Blue is back, and better than ever before.As if it ever really went away.One of the cornerstones of Iowa high school volleyball, Dike-New Hartford appears to be on the verge of a second dynasty. The Wolverines are defending Class 2A state champions. ...

Team capsules for the Class 2A qualifiers at the state volleyball tournament (in bracket order):No. 12 SUMNER-FREDERICKSBURG (24-6)Nickname: CougarsCoach: Ed Boltz (6th year, 120-51)Tourney history: 1st appearance as S-F, though Sumner qualified three times in the 1990s.Starting lineup:No. Name Ht. Yr. Pos.2 Kaylyn Brandt 5-9 Sr. S7 Kally Frisch 5-11 Jr. OH8 Jessica Eekhoff 5-8 Jr. MH9 Tara Converse  5-7 Jr. DS15 MaKaya Henniges  5-11  Sr. MH16 Ashley Larson 5-6 Jr. L  No. ...

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Frightening thought: There's still room for this team to grow. And plenty of time to do it.Already a special squad, the Dike-New Hartford Wolverines could become extraordinary."They could really do some great things," Coach Diane Harms said after the Class 2A top-rated ...

In the span of two months, the improbable became quite manageable."In the beginning of August, we had a long way to go," said Marion High School volleyball coach Roxanne Paulsen. "We had a lot of work to do, and we've done it."Marion wrapped up a ...

Next week's Mississippi Valley Conference volleyball opener has gained some serious sizzle.Iowa City High is No. 1 and Cedar Rapids Kennedy No. 2 in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's preseason Class 5A rankings, released Monday afternoon."That's a lot to live up to," Kennedy ...

 CEDAR RAPIDS -- Western Christian owned Dike-New Hartford and Diane Harms at the state volleyball tournament.Until now.Third-ranked Dike-New Hartford won its eighth state championship -- but its first since 1997 -- by shocking No. 1 Western in straight sets, 25-19, 30-28, 25-23, for the Class ...