Recap, Reaction: Cherokee Takes Down Dike-New Hartford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CORALVILLE - </strong>Cherokee Washington liked that it was the No. 6 seed at the Class 3A State Tournament. The Braves embraced the underdog role in facing third-seeded Dike-New Hartford so much that they messed around and advanced with a four-set victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cherokee looked ready to play from the opening point during Tuesday's quarterfinals, last year's state appearance here at Xtream Arena serving as a calming influence for the nerves that sometimes cripple teams. The Braves lost in the 2025 quarterfinals as a higher seed and turned the tables on a Wolverine program with one of the most storied histories in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dike-New Hartford was put on its heels throughout the afternoon by a Cherokee service game that continually applied pressure. The Braves used it to spark their transition game and potent attack. The Wolverines steadied themselves for a set but looked uncomfortable for most of the match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493982' first='Deidra' last='Doeden'] led the Cherokee offense with 18 kills. Ellana Mortenson terminated 16 points, [player_tooltip player_id='831970' first='Emma' last='Ohlendorf'] had 11 and [player_tooltip player_id='574225' first='Addy' last='Wolfswinkel'] chipped in with nine. Wolfswinkel, an Omaha commitment, handed out a team-best 25 assists with Mahren Malausky adding 17. [player_tooltip player_id='918847' first='Ireland' last='Kennedy'] shook off a knee injury to come up with 21 digs, while Wolfswinkel had 17 and Mortenson contributed 15. Wolfswinkel and [player_tooltip player_id='753335' first='Kendyl' last='Fox'] each delivered three ace serves, and Doeden had two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='751358' first='Emmie' last='Sager'] paced Dike-New Hartford with 17 kills, and [player_tooltip player_id='1045426' first='Keilana' last='Berinobis'] produced 13. Jaelyn Smith had nine kills, and [player_tooltip player_id='893719' first='Aubrey' last='Asche'] finished with eight. [player_tooltip player_id='893076' first='Kailyn' last='Meester'] dished out 43 assists, and [player_tooltip player_id='894796' first='Ruby' last='Varney'] came up with 25 digs. Meester and Ashe had 21 and 20 digs, respectively. Varney and Asche teamed up for five service aces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines finished the season at 35-10. Cherokee Washington improved to 30-8 and advanced to face fellow Siouxland Conference member MOC-Floyd Valley in Wednesday's 3A semifinals. The Dutch won three of the four meetings between the schools this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/Z4y_WYCb__0","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/Z4y_WYCb__0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->