Recap, Reaction: Norwalk Advances to 4A Championship

<!-- 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>For the first time in program history, Norwalk will play in a state championship match. The top-seeded Warriors cruised in three sets - 25-15, 25-14, 25-15- during Wednesday's Class 4A semifinals against Western Dubuque here at Xtream Arena. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norwalk looked more locked in the semifinals than it did in defeating Ballard, 3-1, in Monday's quarterfinals. The nerves were out and the attack was fierce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western Dubuque tried to pressure the Warriors in serve-receive and get them out of system. They dug up the offerings, turned them around into transition and terminated points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan State commitment [player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'] pounded out a match-best 15 kills and also came up with a team-high 10 digs, while powerful right-side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='730403' first='Delaynee' last='Steele'] added an efficient 12 (.786). Setter [player_tooltip player_id='493974' first='Hadley' last='Michael'] handed out 27 assists to go with six kills and five digs. [player_tooltip player_id='775192' first='Mary' last='Bush'] came up with nine digs, and [player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'] had eight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler'], an Illinois State commitment, had a team-high seven kills, and [player_tooltip player_id='934822' first='Ella' last='Burds'] added six. [player_tooltip player_id='555692' first='Gabrielle' last='Demmer'] came up with eight digs, and Mya Hogrefe had six. [player_tooltip player_id='748340' first='Lola' last='Quagliano'] and [player_tooltip player_id='744976' first='Sylvia' last='Kruse'] teamed up for 18 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bobcats ended the season with a 33-6 record. Norwalk improved to 31-6, giving itself a chance to make even more history with a state title on Thursday. The Warriors were set to face the winner of Wednesday's other semifinal match between Clear Creek Amana and Assumption. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whoever the opponent, challenge Norwalk in serve-receive until your hearts content, Michael said. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Everybody tries to get us out of system. We know it's coming," she said. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/T3is9t0Squw","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/T3is9t0Squw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->