The Norwalk volleyball team will host Indianola tonight at 7:30 in a Little Hawkeye Conference clash of area rivals and top-five ranked teams in Class 4A. The Norwalk boys golfers are also in action, competing in the Ottumwa Invitational starting at noon.

Tonight’s volleyball game matches the 4A fifth-ranked Warriors against the 4A second-ranked Indians. Norwalk is 10-6 overall while Indianola is still unbeaten at 11-0. Both squads are 1-0 in conference play.

The two teams split last year’s LHC regular season title with 6-1 records, although Indianola won the head-to-head match in Norwalk three sets to one. Indianola also defeated the Warriors in a best-of-three match at the Southeast Polk Quad earlier this season. Norwalk won the first set 25-18; Indianola took the next two sets 25-17, 15-12.

The Warriors have taken a few days to prepare for the match after opening the season by playing 16 games in 10 days. Norwalk coach John Fulton tells KNIA-KRLS Sports that his team has already faced 10 state-ranked teams and 10 Class 5A opponents. Fulton calls Indianola a fantastic team that is well coached, has great athletes all over the floor, and knows how to put the ball down. He is glad that the Warriors had the opportunity to see the Indians up close at Southeast Polk less than two weeks ago.

“We’re definitely excited. Our girls love playing Indianola,” Fulton said. “Playing at home (on) Youth Night, hopefully we can have a big crowd there. It’s a top-five matchup in 4A and we get to play them in the NPECC. I know that it’s going to be an exciting game… No matter what happens it’s going to be some good volleyball.”

Fulton says that Norwalk missed some crucial serves against the Indians in the previous game. He says the Warriors must limit their mistakes tonight, control their emotions and play their game in order to come out on top.