D-NH volleyball head coach Harms honored for 1,000th win

DIKE – After last Tuesday’s win for Dike-New Hartford volleyball against Aplington-Parkersburg, D-NH held a ceremony on the court for head coach Diane Harms, who had recently surpassed 1,000 career wins in a victory over Humboldt at D-NH’s home tournament on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Harms is the fifth coach in Iowa history to reach the 1,000-win threshold. She started her 20th season of coaching at D-NH this fall and has led the Wolverines to 15 state tournament appearances and eight state championships.

She started her coaching career at Charles City before coming to D-NH in 2003, replacing another legendary coach in Barb Bakker, who started the Dike program in 1979 before the consolidation with New Hartford.

After a brief introduction of Harms’ accomplishments, assistant coach and D-NH volleyball alum Abbie Perez read submitted comments from former D-NH alums that couldn’t make it to Tuesday’s matchup.

“I have had the privilege to play for her, coach under her and not coach against her,” said Katie (Paar) Stull, who was a senior when Harms started at D-NH. “I am coaching my own team tonight because of Diane. Thank you, Coach.”

Morgan (Samec) Morgan, class of 2012 on the team that went 45-0 and finished ranked eighth nationally, said: “You hold a true talent of developing work ethic and influencing athletes to give their best. Thank you for holding me to a high standard and for believing in me.”

Val (Whipps) Bovy, class of 2004, spoke of the relationship between Diane and her husband, Lawrence, that extended onto the court: “I think of the good team her and Lawrence make and how they compliment each other. She knows how to get the most out of her athletes.”

Rachel Koop, class of 2014, said Harms “gave me the opportunity to live out the dream that fourth grade Rachel never thought would be possible.”

Perez, who was in fourth grade at D-NH when Harms started as head coach, added her own thoughts about Coach Harms: “Watching the high school volleyball players from the stands was one of my favorite things to do as a young girl, as I’m sure these girls are now to a lot of the young fans here today. … The work ethic, leadership skills and never letting the ball drop philosophy of Dike-New Hartford Volleyball was and is part of who I am.”

For Harms, 1,000 career wins means commitment.

“A lot of time in the gym,” Harms said. “It’s a great honor, a great milestone, and lots of work and effort has gone into it. Really good players, parents, it doesn’t happen just because of me, but it takes a lot of time, energy and effort.”

In addition to having Lawrence at her side, she noted that she’s been fortunate to have former players help on the coaching staff.

“They know what the program is like, Abbie and Emma [Eden] have played here and they can relate to the players and they know our expectations,” Harms said. “It just makes us all more of a big, extended family.”

This year’s Wolverine group was proud to be there for their coach in that moment. D-NH Activities Director Cody Eichmeier presented a plaque, signed photo and commemorative volleyball to Harms, and the D-NH players surrounded her with gifts of flowers and hugs and smiles.

“I’ve learned from her my entire life,” said Sophia Folkerts, a D-NH senior. “I learned volleyball from her and she’s been a big mentor in my life.

D-NH setter Madelyn Norton added, “She’s helped me on so many skills and we’re still working on so many skills. I’m grateful for everything she’s taught me.”