Norwalk’s seven volleyball seniors left a mark on the program that won’t soon be forgotten. The Warriors finished an historic 26-15 season following Monday’s loss to top-ranked and unbeaten Clear Creek-Amana in the Class 4A State Tournament quarterfinals at Xtream Arena.

During this senior group’s four years in the program, Norwalk Volleyball has compiled a 91-62 overall record, including 50-26 the last two seasons. They won a share of last year’s Little Hawkeye Conference title, played in three regional finals and earned that elusive state tournament berth with last week’s memorable five-set regional final win at North Polk.

The Warriors’ senior cast includes Katie Larson, Grace Dehmer, Tessa Livingston, Ava Johnson, Ava McKay, Grace Irlmeier and Noelle Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe is the single season and career record holder for kills, topping 1,000 career kills and digs. Dehmer also surpassed the 1,000 dig mark.

But it’s about more than just the numbers with this group. Second-year head coach John Fulton recalls walking into a random open gym after being hired in 2022 and being instantly impressed by the intangibles of Norwalk’s now-senior class. 

“I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “That group was just so talented and so experienced. They were coaches on the floor. They knew exactly what needed to be done, they knew how to do it. It was just so fun to be around that group and I’m so thankful to have that opportunity.”

Dehmer tells KNIA-KRLS Sports that it will be tough not coming to volleyball practice now that the season is over. “I’m going to miss my team so much. It’s so sad,” Dehmer said. “Even though I plan on playing volleyball in college, it’s really hard that I’m never going to play with these girls again, and I just love all of them so much.”

The Warriors finished as this year’s Little Hawkeye Conference runner-up, losing only to 2nd-ranked Indianola, which is playing in today’s 4A state semifinals.