The third-ranked Hinton volleyball team advanced to state for the third time in four years with a sweep of Emmetsburg in Orange City on Wednesday night.
When the Blackhawks last played at MOC-Floyd Valley High School, they were seeing their season end in heartbreaking fashion in a region final. This time, it signified the beginning of a journey that will take them to Coralville next week. Hinton senior Karlyn Kovarna says that feeling she had last year motivated her and the team to guarantee they would not feel like that this year.
Hinton co-head coach Robin Mohr says he was happy to get the burden of last year’s loss lifted off the team’s shoulders.
Hinton senior Bailey Boeve says the moment was created thanks to everyone coming together throughout this final stretch of the season.
The momentum picked up early for Hinton as they went on a five-point run early in the first set to take an 8-3 lead and never looked back. Boeve says the great start that built momentum was built on strong serve receive.
Having good steady passes out of good first touches allowed Hinton to get whoever they wanted the ball. Coach Mohr says they could get anyone the ball at any spot on the net at times.
Five different Blackhawks finished with at least five kills in the match including Boeve’s 14 and Kovarna’s seven. Kovarna says having that many options makes things easier on everyone on the court.
Hinton won the first and second sets by scores of 25-14 and 25-11. In set three, the Blackhawks got down early and were briefly getting some flashbacks to last year when things went south in the 2024 region final. Coach Mohr says Emmetsburg had some brief momentum, but Hinton was able to get the momentum back on their side for good shortly thereafter.
Of Hinton’s top five attackers on the night, two of them were freshmen, and the top two blockers on the night were freshmen. Kovarna says that group has grown so much this year, and they are great additions to the team.
The win ups Hinton’s record to 28-2 and qualifies them for the state tournament for the fifth time in school history. The Blackhawks have taken the first step toward their ultimate goal of winning a state title. To keep making strides toward that goal, Boeve says they have to take it step by step and not climb all at once.
The Blackhawks will get a crack at Iowa City Regina in the first round at state on Tuesday next week. Coach Mohr says having ample time to scout will pay off well for the Blackhawks.
Hinton and Iowa City Regina will clash on Tuesday at 4:25 PM in Coralville. Coverage of the match and Hinton’s entire run at the state tournament can be heard only on KLEM Radio.
