The postseason begins tonight for the Norwalk volleyball team, as the Warriors play host to rival Carlisle in the first round of Class 4A Region 4. In fact, it’s the same opponent and same location as last year’s playoff opener. Norwalk enters off a 20-17 regular season in which they finished fourth in the Little Hawkeye Conference, earning them the #3 seed in the region. The Wildcats went 9-15 during the regular season, but have not lost in the month of October. Norwalk senior Cate Backstrom says as her team enters the postseason, it’s time to focus on what they do best.

“I think for us, it’s a lot of just trying to enjoy our team and the time that we have with them and play together. We need to focus on being a team and being present with each other on the court.”

This rivalry matchup has mostly gone the way of the Warriors in recent history, who have won six straight in the series. That includes a 3-0 sweep in last year’s regional quarterfinal and a 2-0 sweep this year at a Saturday tournament in Nevada. Tonight’s match begins at 7:00 p.m. inside the Norwalk High School gymnasium. The winner earns a semifinal road trip to Winterset Thursday.