Scuba diving, the most thrilling of Sydney and Lydia Dimke's offseason hobbies, has allowed Blaine's volleyball standouts to experience the wonders of the deep.
About 20 dives into Caribbean waters introduced the sisters to "a whole new world," Sydney said. "I didn't know that stuff existed on this planet."
While those adventures into the depths are something they share alone, the Dimkes hope to lead teammates to the uncharted heights of the Class 3A state tournament. The current seniors were in eighth grade the last time Blaine qualified. A golden opportunity got squandered last season as the Bengals blew a 2-0 section finals lead on their home court in a 3-2 loss to Centennial.
"Ask anybody; we are still so bitter about it," said Sydney, a senior right-side hitter. "We all know that feeling stinks, and we are not going to want it to happen again."
Though surrounded by strong players, the Dimkes must emerge as Blaine's go-to hitters. They combined for 346 kills last season, more than 30 percent of the team's total. Those numbers would have been higher had mononucleosis not sidelined Sydney for 12 matches. In addition, Lydia was making her varsity debut as a freshman and played middle blocker for the first time. Still, they helped Blaine to a 24-5 record and a top-10 ranking.
"They definitely change the environment in the gym," Blaine coach Celeste Gorman said. "They make everyone around them work harder."
Both girls improved their games in the offseason through different methods. Sydney focused on her jumping and improved her vertical by 5 inches, "So hopefully I'll be getting over blocks more this season," she said.