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Home Care In New Hartford, IA

Home Care New Hartford, IA

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.

 In-Home Care New Hartford, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in New Hartford, IA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care New Hartford, IA

Types of Elderly Care in New Hartford, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care New Hartford, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers New Hartford, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care New Hartford, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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.

 In-Home Care New Hartford, IA

Benefits of Home Care in New Hartford, IA

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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.

 Elderly Care New Hartford, IA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care New Hartford, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care New Hartford, IA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers New Hartford, IA

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:

  • Leisure Living Hartford
  • Wellington Place at Hartford
  • The Waterford at Hartford
  • Hartford Estates
  • Majestic Heights Assisted Living
  • Spero Gardens
Home Care New Hartford, IA

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.

 In-Home Care New Hartford, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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.

 Elderly Care New Hartford, IA

Latest News in New Hartford, IA

Dike-New Hartford school makes progress on $17 million renovation project

DIKE-NEW HARTFORD, Iowa (KWWL) - After a summer of construction, the Dike-New Hartford School has made a lot of progress on its complete renovation project.Having classrooms, facilities, even their boilers built in the 1950s, the district believed it was time to bring the school up to speed with 21st-century learning facilities.CREWS HAVE TORN OUT AND COMPLETED:Currently, crews are working towards completing the entire second floor, which will become the new science suite for the school.Along with...

DIKE-NEW HARTFORD, Iowa (KWWL) - After a summer of construction, the Dike-New Hartford School has made a lot of progress on its complete renovation project.

Having classrooms, facilities, even their boilers built in the 1950s, the district believed it was time to bring the school up to speed with 21st-century learning facilities.

CREWS HAVE TORN OUT AND COMPLETED:

Currently, crews are working towards completing the entire second floor, which will become the new science suite for the school.

Along with academic upgrades, the school is also adding in a new athletic wing which will include bigger training facilities from their weight room to a brand new gym.

With the New Hartford School also under construction, Superintendent Justin Stockdale said he's pleased with progress so far.

"Both of our campuses are seeing safety upgrades. Safe rooms being added in both campuses entries are being redone in every building, we got more eyes on the street," Stockdale said, "we're here the first week of school and we were able to bring our kids in when anticipated so it's going well."

Students having to attend school with construction going on, student body president Zach Herreld told KWWL he's excited to see the school transform throughout the school year.

"I just can't wait to see the outside of the school, if I drive past just to see the outside and how nice and modern it looks really reflects you know what the school is," Herreld said.

Entering his senior year at Dike-New Hartford, Devon Kollasch said he's the most excited to finally have an AC unit throughout the school!

"Last year I would walk through the school in this part right here and I'd be like sweating, super hot and humid in there," Kollasch said, "but I walked in there I have a few classes over here and it's cool so I like it."

Right now, students have to park on neighborhood sidewalks and walk to school since the parking lot is closed for expansion. Stockdale also said classrooms only have temporary AC units at the moment, but crews plan on knocking that out Labor Day weekend, so students and faculty will have cool air by September 7th.

Stockdale said this is an estimated 18-month project and he hopes to have the athletic facilities done by next fall.

Iowa state volleyball: Dike-New Hartford completes magical season with Class 2A title

CEDAR RAPIDS — Whether Dike-New Hartford could dominate in a larger class will have to remain a hypothetical question. But the Wolverines' place among their Class 2A peers is abundantly clear.No. 1. And it's not close.Top-seeded Dike-New Hartford completed an incredible season with a sweep of No. 3 seed Western Christian in the 2A title game, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22, Thursday at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. The Wolverines (54-1) finished off a repeat bid for the ages.If anyone was going to mess with this b...

CEDAR RAPIDS — Whether Dike-New Hartford could dominate in a larger class will have to remain a hypothetical question. But the Wolverines' place among their Class 2A peers is abundantly clear.

No. 1. And it's not close.

Top-seeded Dike-New Hartford completed an incredible season with a sweep of No. 3 seed Western Christian in the 2A title game, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22, Thursday at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. The Wolverines (54-1) finished off a repeat bid for the ages.

If anyone was going to mess with this beast, it would take a program with prestige like the Wolfpack (40-6). Veteran coach Tammi Verbeek is a mainstay at the state tournament and has plenty of hardware to prove it. Still, this was a challenge like any other.

More:Iowa state volleyball live updates: D-NH joins Pleasant Valley, Western Dubuque, West Delaware as 2021 champs

Dike-New Hartford rarely surrenders double figures, even this deep in the postseason, so putting up 16 points in a first-set loss had to feel like a minor win for Western Christian. Even the mighty Wolfpack were a bit overwhelmed. A heavy dose of 2A all-tournament captain Payton Petersen propelled the Wolverines to a two-set advantage.

"She's big-time," Verbeek said.

Western Christian raced out to a 9-2 advantage to force a Wolverines timeout. Was this a minor shift in momentum or simply putting off the probable?

"We've got to take care of this right now," Wolverines coach Diane Harms told her team.

"Let's take care of it right here."

More:Iowa state volleyball: Western Dubuque knocks off Waverly-Shell Rock for first state title

The Wolverines eventually did, morphing a seven-point deficit into a five-point cushion as the final points lingered. Dike-New Hartford wasn't going to let this get to a fourth set.

The win finishes off a year that will be discussed in volleyball circles for some time. The Wolverines ended on a 20-game winning streak in which they didn't drop a single set. Dike-New Hartford dropped only six sets all season, a third of which came in its only loss to 5A top seed Iowa City Liberty on Sept. 25.

None of it would've mattered without a title. That was the goal in August and remained the goal in November. The Wolverines made sure this season was properly concluded.

Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

Unbeaten Dike-New Hartford gets early wake-up call, then rolls to state volleyball semifinals

CORALVILLE — For much of the first set of Tuesday's Class 2A state volleyball quarterfinal, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont stayed right with No. 1 Dike-New Hartford.The underdog Rockets were two points from taking the set from a team that has lost just one set this year coming into state.From that point on, the Wolverines showed why they are likely the best team in the state, regardless of class. With the game tied at 23, Jaydn Petersen came through with an ace serve and Shannon Moorman followed with a block to seal the gam...

CORALVILLE — For much of the first set of Tuesday's Class 2A state volleyball quarterfinal, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont stayed right with No. 1 Dike-New Hartford.

The underdog Rockets were two points from taking the set from a team that has lost just one set this year coming into state.

From that point on, the Wolverines showed why they are likely the best team in the state, regardless of class. With the game tied at 23, Jaydn Petersen came through with an ace serve and Shannon Moorman followed with a block to seal the game.

Dike-New Hartford followed that up with two impressive sets to finish off a 25-23, 25-5, 25-12 victory at Xtream Arena.

Coach Diane Harms’ Wolverines (48-0) will play Wednesday in the semifinals at 4 p.m. They are in search of their third title in four years after being denied in last year's final against Western Christian. EBF retires at 26-8.

“You know when you have new people coming down, playing in a new environment you can expect to have some nerves,” Harms said “We knew coming in (EBF) was going to give us a good push and we just had to be ready to figure things out.”

Once they figured things out, the Wolverines made quick work of the Rockets.

Petersen said the first set was a wake-up call but added past state experiences were beneficial to the team.

“We just lean on each other out there,” she said. “When one person wasn't doing very well, somebody else would step it up. We just had each other's back out there.”

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Harms said the key to the Wolverines’ improved play in the final two sets was simply a matter of paying a little better attention to detail and cleaning up some errors.

Petersen agreed with her coach.

“We just did a better job taking care of our game,” she said. “We had some errors in the first set and we did a much better job of picking those up and getting into our offense a little better.”

Petersen paced the Wolverines with 16 kills. Her sister, Payton, added 12 and Maryn Bixby had 10. Molly Shafer led EBF with 12 kills.

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-...

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).

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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Dike-New Hartford’s Payton Peterson (21) scores a kill in the 2A state tournament semifinals against Denver on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

Western Christian, Dike-New Hartford to meet in Iowa's 2A volleyball state championship match -- again

Western Christian sets their sights on a rematch of the 2021 Class 2A championship game after sweeping Eddyville-Blakesburg-FremontThe Western Christian Wolfpack has a chance to rewrite history after Wednesday’s semifinals win over the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rockets (25-16, 25-21, 25-11).Just like last season, the Wolfpack will face Dike-New Hartford in the Class 2A championship match. However, they hope to have a much better showing this time around since they lost the match 3-0.“Last ...

Western Christian sets their sights on a rematch of the 2021 Class 2A championship game after sweeping Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont

The Western Christian Wolfpack has a chance to rewrite history after Wednesday’s semifinals win over the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rockets (25-16, 25-21, 25-11).

Just like last season, the Wolfpack will face Dike-New Hartford in the Class 2A championship match. However, they hope to have a much better showing this time around since they lost the match 3-0.

“Last year, we felt like we didn’t hit as well as we could,” Western Christian’s head coach Tammi Veerbeek said. “Our hitters, Stella [Winterfeld] and Abby [VerBurg], in particular, are playing at a higher level. We know that Dike-New Hartford is not going to make any mistakes, so we have to find the balance of staying aggressive, but not having unforced errors.”

The same could not be said for their performance on Wednesday night after getting their offense flowing early and often.

Overall, they ended the night with 43 kills compared to the Rockets' 23.

More:Clear Creek Amana and Xavier are headed to the Class 4A state volleyball championship

Routinely making big plays in the first two sets, they saved their best play for the third set, where they just proved to be too much offensively.

At one point, they boasted a 22-9 lead over the Rockets in the set.

Noticing a gap in their defense, Veerbeek said that her team was able to exploit it as the match wore on.

“We scouted them and saw that they had a two-man serve receive,” Veerveek said. “We felt like we could tear that apart with our aggressive serving. We watched them last night and saw that they had some powerful outside hitters, but I think that we made them feel uncomfortable with our serving. We had them scrambling and I don’t think they could get into a flow.”

Their win was made official after senior Stella Winterfeld wrapped things up with her 16th kill of the night.

Now able to focus on getting redemption against Dike-New Hartford, Winterfeld said that this year, she and her teammates are ready to show off their growth.

“Last year, we did not play our best,” Winterfeld said. “This year, we are back and we are hungry. We are ready for this one.”

Dike-New Hartford sets up rematch in quest for three-peat

Ho hum.

Another year, another state championship match for the Dike-New Hartford High School volleyball team.And for the seventh time in the last 15 years, Western Christian stands in the Wolverines' path to a state championship.Top-ranked, two-time defending Class 2A state champion Dike-New Hartford disposed of fourth seed Hinton, 25-14, 25-20, 25-11 in a Class 2A state semifinal match on Wednesday.

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Dike-New Hartford (44-2) will play second seed Western Christian (42-5) in the 2A state title match at 4:45 p.m. Thursday.

Hinton bows out with a 27-3 record.

The Wolverines are poised to chase their 16th state championship in program history and a rare three-peat.

"It's a lot of fun year in and year out, just trying to get the pieces together and everything like that and seeing what's going to work for us this year. There are always new faces and the girls do a good job of wanting to continue that and working hard," Dike-New Hartford head coach Diane Harms said. "The girls work very, very hard. They are really good athletes. The work hard in all their sports. They make some plays happen just because they are athletic and they work hard."

Dike-New Hartford, after breezing through the opening set, found itself down, 11-6, in the second set.No reason for panic.

Harms just let the players work through the situation themselves. That's half the beauty in the game.

"They are smart enough to know to take a breath, compose and try to stop the run the other team is making," Harms said. "We do let them rely on themselves out there. We do have to remind them occasionally of the few things that they need to do. Most of the time they do a great job of making adjustments out there on the court."

Payton Petersen led the Wolverines with 18 kills, , while Ellie Knock had nine and Jadyn Petersen had eight.Bailey Boeve led Hinton with nine kills.

Neither Dike-New Hartford nor Western Christian will have to study films to know each others' tendencies on Thursday."That is a quality program," Harms said. "We always have very exciting matches when we play them. We are going to have to step it up when we play them and go after them. Every time we play them it's a great match."

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