Cyclones will face Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for the crown Thursday
Jeff Linder
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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.
Denver 3, Dike-New Hartford 0
(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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