Facing six of the best volleyball teams in Class 5A, Norwalk finished with a 2-4 record at Saturday’s Ankeny Centennial Tournament, earning second place in an eight-team consolation bracket.

The Class 4A fifth-ranked Warriors, now 5-5 overall, lost to three top 10 5A teams in a loaded Pool C to start the day. Norwalk fell to sixth-ranked Centennial by scores of 16-21, 13-21, then lost three-setters vs. No. 7 Iowa City Liberty (21-15, 15-21, 10-15) and No. 9 Sioux City East (21-12, 19-21, 8-15).

The Warriors’ fortunes improved in bracket play, starting with wins over No. 11 Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln (25-20, 26-28, 15-11) and No. 4 West Des Moines Valley (26-24, 32-30). They lost their final match to No. 5 Cedar Falls (8-25, 14-25).

Norwalk coach John Fulton was happy with the way his team responded in bracket play after battling hard in a very tough pool. He says the Warriors learned from their mistakes in three-set losses to Liberty and Sioux City East and won some competitive sets the rest of the day. Fulton adds that he is glad the Warriors got a chance to play some high-level competition and he is excited for the week ahead.

Norwalk returns to action Tuesday for its first home game of the year, hosting Oskaloosa at 7:30 p.m. on the opening night of Little Hawkeye Conference play.

Boys Golf, Cross Country in action Monday

The Norwalk boys golf team will play in their fourth meet of the season today while the Warrior boys and girls cross country teams will finally compete for the first time this season later this afternoon.

The Norwalk boys golfers are part of an 18-team field at the Fort Dodge Invitational. The tournament is being held at the Fort Dodge Country Club, starting at 10:00 a.m.

The Norwalk harriers will run the Iowa State University Cross Country Course as part of the Kirk Schmaltz Ames Invitational. The 14-team meet gets underway at 4:00 p.m.