Boeve helps Hinton reach finals

CORALVILLE - At this time last year, Hinton's Bailey Boeve could only sit and watch.

Early in the 2024 season, she tore her ACL and MCL in her right knee after leading the Blackhawks to the 2023 state title match.

Boeve had doubts if she would return. Not only did she make it back. She is back and better than ever.

"When you have an injury like that you definitely feel down and I wondered if I would ever get back to what I was," she said. "To be here is just so special."

The senior, who will play collegiately at Creighton, was the driving force for Hinton in Wednesday's Class 2A state semifinal match against No. 2 Dike-New Hartford. She had 30 kills and was all over the court on defense with 16 digs as the Blackhawks won in four sets, 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17.

No. 3 Hinton (30-2) will play No. 1 Denver on Thursday at 4:45 p.m. for the championship. The Cyclones advanced with a four-set win over Grundy Center.

After months of vigorous rehabilitation, Boeve was cleared for full volleyball activity on August 11, just before the start of fall practice.

Hinton co-coach Robin Mohr could not hide his admiration for Boeve and the resolve she showed during her recovery period. He said the full range of her abilities were key in Wednesday's match.

"She's a great all-around player," he said. "I've never seen a girl work so hard coming off that injury. When we got to the fourth set today and we had our three freshmen up front, we had her in the back. She reads everything so well and she was all over the court."

Boeve is the centerpiece for Hinton, but she is one of six seniors in the Blackhawks rotation. Mohr said that group has been through quite a journey over the past three years.

"The six of them have worked really hard," he said. "It would be unbelievable to get a state championship for them and to give the freshman, sophomores and juniors something to build on for the future.

Boeve's state title aspirations never faded, even during her rehab period.

"It would mean everything (to bring home a state title)," she said. "It has been my goal and my dream my entire life just to get a state championship. It would mean the world to me after everything we've gone through and for all the seniors in the past who never got this chance."

Dike-New Hartford closes its campaign at 39-10. Abby Jensen led the offense with 15 kills.

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