It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic New Hartford gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in New Hartford, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Sherrill Brook Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Tailor and the Cook or visit New Hartford Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in New Hartford, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in New Hartford, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in New Hartford, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
HINTON — Asked for his initial thoughts on upcoming state semifinal opponent Dike-New Hartford, Hinton head coach Kadrian Hardersen’s answer boiled down to one word: Tradition.“Without having seen them play a down of football, the first thing that comes to mind is just tradition, tradition, tradition,” Hardersen said. “A program like that is everything that we want to get to someday.”While Dike-New Hartford has never won a championship — Dike won one in 1981 — the Wolverines do ha...
HINTON — Asked for his initial thoughts on upcoming state semifinal opponent Dike-New Hartford, Hinton head coach Kadrian Hardersen’s answer boiled down to one word: Tradition.
“Without having seen them play a down of football, the first thing that comes to mind is just tradition, tradition, tradition,” Hardersen said. “A program like that is everything that we want to get to someday.”
While Dike-New Hartford has never won a championship — Dike won one in 1981 — the Wolverines do have a good tradition in the sport, much like their fall-sport counterparts on the volleyball court. D-NH has been runner-up five times and is 43-21 in their 22 playoff appearances.
This season’s D-NH team is ranked No. 2 in Class 1A and has lost just once this season, 21-7 to Grundy Center, the top-ranked team in the class and one which has played in five straight championship games and won the last two they’ve been in.
After their loss to Grundy Center to begin the season, the Wolverines have won 10 in a row, the closest of which was a 36-19 victory over South Hardin in the quarterfinal round.
The Wolverines rely on senior quarterback Colin Meester and senior running back Noah Borcherding. Meester has completed 88-of-148 passes for 1,100 yards this season while throwing 14 touchdowns and just one interception. Not a true running threat, he has gained 236 yards on 28 carries with four touchdowns this season.
Borcherding gets the bulk of the rushing attempts, carrying the ball 175 times for 1,603 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. He also has a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Carson Costello is one of the team’s top receivers with 27 catches for 360 yards and seven touchdowns. The senior is also the team’s punt returner and has returned one for a touchdown. He is also a key on defense, posting seven of the team’s 19 interceptions.
Hinton’s offense centers around quarterback Gabe Anderson, who has completed 70-of-134 passes for 935 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has 1,131 rushing yards on 197 carries with 15 touchdowns.
Top targets are Kyle Leary and Kaden Barrett with 20 catches each. Cole Friessen (746 yards) and Brogan Lake (432 yards) are the team’s top running backs.
Lake, Tommy Tanner and Jackson Kounkel all have over 60 tackles for Hinton. Four players have at least three interceptions, led by Karver DeGroot with four.
Reese Stokes has made 4-of-6 field goals with a long of 38 yards for the Blackhawks. Wolverine kicker Keegan Bolhuis is 48-of-58 on PAT kicks this season, a similar success rate as Stokes on his PAT tries, and has made one field goal from 27 yards.
“It’s going to be a team that is extremely well-coached. You can almost guarantee that they’re going to have athletes,” Hardersen said. “It’s just going to be a matter of putting our chess pieces in the right spot and see how we can compete down at that level.”
Cyclones will face Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for the crown ThursdayJeff Linder The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.CORALVILLE — Give Jamie Johnson an “A” for honesty.“I think this was a little extra special,” Johnson said after top-ranked Denver held off No. 4 Dike-New Hartford, 25-12, 25-19, 26-24, in a Class 2A semifinal at the state vol...
Cyclones will face Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for the crown Thursday
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CORALVILLE — Give Jamie Johnson an “A” for honesty.
“I think this was a little extra special,” Johnson said after top-ranked Denver held off No. 4 Dike-New Hartford, 25-12, 25-19, 26-24, in a Class 2A semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Wednesday afternoon at Xtream Arena.
It couldn’t help but be.
Dike-New Hartford had handled the Cyclones — and virtually everybody else in the state — for many, many years. To break through, on this stage ... yeah, a little extra special.
“We were super hyped to go beat them,” junior Mylee Thurm said.
Denver (46-3) moves on to Thursday’s 2A championship match; the Cyclones face No. 2 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (36-2) at 4:45 p.m.
The Cyclones stormed through the first two sets, and most of the third. But a 21-13 lead turned into 21-15, then 22-18, then 23-21.
Denver got to match point at 24-21, but DNH (30-16) scored three in a row to square the set.
Uh-oh.
“We needed to keep our composure and stay cool,” Thurm said.
Added setter Channing Johnson: “We couldn’t let their energy get to us.”
The Cyclones dispersed from their huddle and closed it out with kills from Adeana Murch and Grace Mullihan.
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Mullihan and Thurm were the difference in the middle. The duo combined for 17 kills, no attack errors and a .567 kill efficiency, plus 7 1/2 blocks.
“I’m glad the arena got to see what I get to see every day,” Coach Johnson said. “This was the best block party I’ve ever been to.”
Dike-New Hartford was making its 33rd state appearance, its 17th in the last 18 years. The Wolverines were 50-0 and 2A champions last year, graduated the Petersen twins, and remained a 2A contender with a retooled lineup.
(25-12, 25-19, 26-24)
Class 2A State Semifinal, at Coralville
Serving: DNH 55-56 (.982), Denver 70-75 (.933)
Aces: DNH 3 (three with 1), Denver 4 (Channing Johnson 2)
Kills: DNH 34 (Aubrey Asche, Izzy Norton 8), Denver 38 (Grace Mullihan 9)
Assists: DNH 30 (Lucy Varney 15), Denver 33 (Johnson 28)
Blocks: DNH 4 (four with 1), Denver 13 (Thurm 4)
Digs: DNH 61 (Ruby Varney 14), Denver 65 (Johnson 19)
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Top seeds have no trouble advancing into semifinals of 2A state volleyball championships, as all four post three-set sweepsIt was quick and sweep for the quarterfinals of the Class 2A Iowa state volleyball championships on Tuesday. Denver, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Dyersville Beckman and Dike-New Hartford all posted three-set victories to advance to the semis from the Xtream Arena in Coralville.Eight different players recorded a kill in a balanced effort by ...
Top seeds have no trouble advancing into semifinals of 2A state volleyball championships, as all four post three-set sweeps
It was quick and sweep for the quarterfinals of the Class 2A Iowa state volleyball championships on Tuesday. Denver, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Dyersville Beckman and Dike-New Hartford all posted three-set victories to advance to the semis from the Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Eight different players recorded a kill in a balanced effort by Denver, as they knocked Boyden-Hull out by scores of 25-21, 25-23 and 25-21. Bailey and Grace Mullihan each had eight kills, Myia Roscerans recorded seven and both Channing Johnson and Adeana Murch had six. Alaya Akers recorded 13 digs and Madeline Hilderbrandt had 11.
For Boyden-Hull, Elsie Hoegh picked up 14 kills and Dennie Boogerd had 17 digs.
The No. 2 seed, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont earned a tough first set over Iowa City Regina before rolling in the next two. Scores were 25-23, 25-13 and 25-19.
Molly Shafer, the multi-athlete standout, had 21 kills with 18 digs and a solo block to lead EBF. Lacey Taylor added 16 kills and nine digs while Kate Shafer dished out 32 assists. Reese Naeve had 20 kills and Caitlin Martin nine for the Regals.
Dike-New Hartford ousted Aplington-Parkersburg in the 4-5 matchup, 25-22, 25-12 and 25-16. Izzy Norton had 12 kills, Shannon Moorman 11 and Keely Kauten nine as Lucy Varney dished out 19 assists.
Aplington-Parkersburg was led by eight kills from Peyton Klooster and 12 digs by Adria Neymeyer.
Dyersville Beckman handled South Hardin, winning 25-18, 25-18 and 25-22. Joy Burkle and Katelyn Schmitt both had nine kills while Ava Burkle added seven. For South Hardin, Alli Sheldahl had 13 kills and Abby Teske 15 digs.
Denver (45-3) now gets Dike-New Hartford at 4 p.m. Wednesday while Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (35-2) takes on Dyersville Beckman (36-6) at 4:25 p.m. The winners meet for the state title on Thursday at 4:45 p.m.
Published Nov 5, 2024
Dana Becker has been a sports writer in Iowa since 2000, writing for The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others. Dana resides in northcentral Iowa and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in 2022 focused on the state of Iowa. Along with providing coverage of football and wrestling, Dana also spotlights cross country, swimming, basketball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball and softball. He began writing for High School on SI in 2023.
Wolverines lost 3 all-staters from last year’s 50-0 team, but still have the talent to repeatMike Condon The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.CORALVILLE — Some of the names may have changed, but the result, at least on Tuesday afternoon, looked very familiar.Dike-New Hartford may have lost three all-staters from last year's 50-0 Class 2A state volleyball champi...
Wolverines lost 3 all-staters from last year’s 50-0 team, but still have the talent to repeat
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CORALVILLE — Some of the names may have changed, but the result, at least on Tuesday afternoon, looked very familiar.
Dike-New Hartford may have lost three all-staters from last year's 50-0 Class 2A state volleyball championship team, but those who took their place looked more than capable of making it back-to-back titles for the Wolverines.
Coach Diane Harms’ team (30-15) was in control from start to finish, rolling to a 25-22, 25-12, 25-16 over North Iowa Cedar League rival Aplington-Parkersburg in a 2A quarterfinal match at Xtream Arena.
“The girls came in this year and for a lot of them it was the first time they really got on the floor,” said Harms, who is in search of her 10th state title. “They are making the most of their opportunities.
“They are very skilled players who were just waiting for their chance. They have been down here before as part of the team, but getting to actually play on the court is very special.”
Harms was pleased with her team’s passing and ball control, which she said allowed them to stay in plays and take Aplington-Parkersburg out of system.
Seniors Shannon Moorman and Izzy Norton were regulars on last year's team. Moorman said the team actually got off to a bit of a slow start.
“Honestly, the first set we probably had some nerves,” said Moorman, who finished with 11 kills. “After the first set, we just played our game.”
Moorman said that getting the chance to see other seniors, Lucy Varney and Madde Buskohl, get their opportunities has been special.
“I did get to play last season,” Moorman said. “Now, coming here with these girls I've played with since fourth grade is just awesome.”
Another NICL rival, top-ranked Denver, awaits in the semifinals. The two teams will be playing in the state semifinals for the third time in five years.
The roles are now reversed with Denver being the favorite.
“We definitely know a lot about each other,” Moorman said. “It will be different (with Denver as the favorite), but we just need to come here and do what we need to do.”
Norton led the Wolverines with 12 kills. Peyton Klooster paced the Falcons (36-7) with eight kills.
Pleasant Valley eventually wins the tournament titleJeff Linder The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.CEDAR RAPIDS — High expectations are nice, when they are realized.When they’re not, well ...“I’m not sure you want to talk to me right now,” Moun...
Pleasant Valley eventually wins the tournament title
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CEDAR RAPIDS — High expectations are nice, when they are realized.
When they’re not, well ...
“I’m not sure you want to talk to me right now,” Mount Vernon Coach Maggie Willems said after the Class 3A top-ranked Mustangs were knocked off by Dike-New Hartford in the semifinals of the Westside Invitational volleyball tournament Saturday at Jefferson High School.
“We had seniors in position to make plays. They didn’t make plays we count on them to make.”
Class 5A No. 2 Pleasant Valley eventually won the tournament, topping 2A No. 4 DNH in the championship match, 25-20, 25-22.
The 3A state runner-up last fall, Mount Vernon (36-4) has carried a “this-is-our-year” vibe, and for the most part, the Mustangs have delivered.
They were dynamic for most of Saturday, sweeping their way through pool play — “That doesn’t happen often at the Westside,” Willems said — and eliminated West Liberty in the quarterfinals, 25-19, 25-15.
But in the final two sets, of the semifinals they were simply outplayed, and suffered a 21-25, 25-14, 17-15 setback.
“We’ve been talking about defensive pursuit,” Willems said. “The last ball of the game, with nobody going after it, it’s problematic.
“It’s hard to beat a team three times in a season, and we know what kind of product to expect from Dike-New Hartford. It’s a matter of maintaining focus at the end of the day.”
DNH (20-15) lost four starters — including 2023 state player of the year Payton Petersen — from a team that went 50-0 last season. But the Wolverines, as they proved Saturday, remain a headache for opponents.
Pleasant Valley (28-2) emerged from a bottom-bracket jungle that contained four 5A top-10 teams.
The Spartans ousted No. 1 Ankeny Centennial in the semifinals, 25-12, 24-26, 15-10.
Mount Vernon was one of four area teams in the championship bracket.
West Delaware (33-5 and No. 3 in 3A) concluded pool play with a victory over 5A No. 4 West Des Moines Dowling. The Hawks were beaten by DNH in the quarterfinals.
West Liberty (23-12) and Iowa City Liberty (14-17) also were part of the top eight.
At C.R. Jefferson
POOL A
Teams — 1. Mount Vernon 3-0, 2. Iowa City Liberty 2-1, 3. Grundy Center 1-2, 4. Waterloo East 0-3.
Grundy Center def. Waterloo East, 21-10, 21-11
Iowa City Liberty def. Grundy Center, 21-15, 21-14
Iowa City Liberty def. Waterloo East, 21-4, 21-13
Mount Vernon def. Iowa City Liberty, 21-12, 21-11
Mount Vernon def. Grundy Center, 21-11, 21-7
Mount Vernon def. Waterloo East, 21-4, 21-8
POOL B
Teams — 1. Pleasant Valley 3-0, 2. West Liberty 2-1, 3. Marion 1-2, 4. C.R. Washington 0-3.
Marion def. C.R. Washington, 21-11, 21-16
Pleasant Valley def. Marion, 21-7, 21-9
Pleasant Valley def. West Liberty, 21-13, 21-13
Pleasant Valley def. C.R. Washington, 21-8, 21-11
West Liberty def. Marion, 21-18, 19-21, 15-11
West Liberty def. C.R. Washington, 21-14, 21-9
POOL C
Teams — 1. Ankeny Centennial 3-0, 2. Dike-New Hartford 2-1, 3. Bondurant-Farrar 1-2, 4. C.R. Jefferson 0-3.
Ankeny Centennial def. Dike-New Hartford, 21-5, 21-9
Ankeny Centennial def. Bondurant-Farrar, 21-10, 21-16
Ankeny Centennial def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-9, 21-7
Bondurant-Farrar def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-11, 21-13
Dike-New Hartford def. Bondurant-Farrar, 21-16, 21-12
Dike-New Hartford def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-8, 21-12
POOL D
Teams — 1. West Delaware 3-0, 2. West Des Moines Dowling 2-1, 3. Des Moines Roosevelt 1-2, 4. Iowa City West 0-3.
Des Moines Roosevelt def Iowa City West, 16-21, 21-16, 17-15
West Delaware def. Iowa City West, 21-17, 21-15
West Delaware def. Des Moines Roosevelt, 21-11, 21-12
West Delaware def. West Des Moines Dowling, 15-21, 21-14, 15-11
West Des Moines Dowling def. Iowa City West, 21-11, 21-11
West Des Moines Dowling def. Des Moines Roosevelt, 21-16, 21-18
SILVER BRACKET
Quarterfinals
Grundy Center def. C.R. Washington, 21-11, 21-17
Des Moines Roosevelt def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-17, 21-13
Iowa City West def. Bondurant-Farrar, 18-21, 21-17, 15-6
Marion def. Waterloo East, 21-6, 21-11
Semifinals
Des Moines Roosevelt def. Grundy Center, 21-18, 23-21
Marion def. Iowa City West, 25-23, 21-17
Final
Marion def. Des Moines Roosevelt, 15-21, 21-19, 15-10
GOLD BRACKET
Quarterfinals
Mount Vernon def. West Liberty, 25-19, 25-15
Dike-New Hartford def. West Delaware, 25-16, 25-22
Ankeny Centennial def. West Des Moines Dowling, 25-18, 25-16
Pleasant Valley def. Iowa City Liberty, 25-11, 25-19
Semifinals
Dike-New Hartford def. Mount Vernon, 21-25, 25-14, 17-15
Pleasant Valley def. Ankeny Centennial, 25-12, 26-24, 15-10
Championship
Pleasant Valley def. Dike-New Hartford, 25-20, 25-22
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