Survive and advance.

The 10th-ranked Norwalk volleyball team did just that in Thursday’s Class 4A regional semifinal against unranked Sergeant Bluff-Luton.

After winning the opening set 25-19, Norwalk dropped the next two sets by scores of 21-25, 23-25, then bounced back with wins of 25-20, 15-9 to claim a thrilling five-set victory at the new Norwalk PE and Competition Center.

The Warriors improved to 24-10 overall and advanced to their second straight regional final. They will host 14th-ranked Bishop Heelan (23-14) on Tuesday, October 25, at 7:00 p.m., with a state tournament berth on the line.

First-year Norwalk coach John Fulton says he is very proud and happy for his players.

“The girls did a great job fighting and really got back to their strengths in the fourth and fifth sets,” Fulton said. “We were pretty balanced offensively all night. Noelle Sutcliffe and Ava McKay stepped up on the outside for us and scored big points when we needed it. And our back row continues to be great defensively and on serve receive.”

Unofficial stat leaders for Norwalk included Sutcliffe with 13 kills and 18 digs, McKay 12 kills, Grace Dehmer 22 digs, Dakota Poen 15 digs and Liz Iverson 45 set assists. The Warriors missed just four serves in 90 attempts and had six aces, led by Sutcliffe going 21-for-21 with three aces.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton closes the season with an overall record of 7-22.

Bishop Heelan advanced Thursday with a three sets to one victory at ninth-ranked Lewis Central.