Norwalk learns consistency at host Invite

NORWALK — More often than not, host Norwalk does not make it through its annual invitational unscathed. One big reason is the depth of the field most years, and Saturday's 2026 edition was no exception. The Truckers went 1-2 in the eight-team field to drop their overall record to 4-2. Elyria Catholic, a regional finalist last season in Division V, defeated longtime power Toledo St. Ursula in two sets in the title match. Other teams in the field included Independence, Canton Glen Oak, Firelands, Fremont Ross, and Vermilion. Among the eight teams, five of them won 19 or more matches in 2025, and two teams were in regional title matches. There are 25 all-time state semifinal appearances among Norwalk, Elyria Catholic, Independence, and St. Ursula, with two state championships and nine state runners-up finishes. "We moved it up a week earlier from the usual Labor Day weekend, but we knew what to expect either way," NHS head coach Sarah Kipp said. "It was a big test for us, starting with far and above the best team I've seen out of Firelands." The Falcons, a 19-6 team that won a league title and made a district final last season, beat the Truckers in two close sets to start the day on Saturday. Firelands posted scores of 25-21 and 25-23. Norwalk had several chances to extend the match to a third set but was unable to close the gap down the stretch of the second set. "They are incredibly scrappy and well-rounded," Kipp said of the Falcons. "They will do big things in their conference and area." In the loss, Ainslee King had eight kills for Norwalk, while Lindy Winkleman added four blocks. Emily Tyler had 16 assists and was 5 for 5 serving with three aces. Maddie Gamble added 10 digs and four kills, while Sawyer Wineman had 14 digs, and Lola Schlotterer was 7 for 7 in serving. Norwalk's second match of the day was another close two-set loss (25-20, 25-22) against Fremont Ross. Gamble, King, and Winkleman each had four kills, with Gamble also adding nine digs. Tyler had 14 assists, and Sophia Ames had seven digs, while Schlotterer was 8 for 8 serving with an ace and seven digs. "Ross had two middles standing 6-foot-1 and 6-2 with heavy hammer arms and scrappy defense," Kipp said. "That was truly a big test for our team." But in the finale, Norwalk salvaged the day with a three-set win over an Independence team that has been to the Div. VI state semifinals in each of the past two seasons. After losing 25-13, Norwalk came back to win the next two sets with scores of 25-15 and 25-19. King finished with 10 kills and was 10 for 10 serving with an ace, while Gamble had nine kills and 12 digs in the victory. Winkleman finished with six kills, and Ames had 10 digs. Also in the win, Tyler finished with 24 assists. Wineman was 8 for 9 serving with two aces and 15 digs, and Schlotterer was 11 for 11 serving with an ace and 12 digs. "Independence is traditionally an incredibly strong program and showed us that today," Kipp said. "That was a tough mental test for our girls today. Reflecting back on the scores, we didn't play as badly as what they maybe feel like we did. "Things didn't fall our way, but that kind of gave us a good look that we need to focus on in the next couple of weeks, especially rolling into conference play." Kipp's biggest takeaway from Saturday was consistency with her roster that has just three seniors. "We finally saw some things at the end of the day that showed our kids were making adjustments and working at things we wanted to change," she said. "And that's what we were looking for. "We got better throughout the course of the day, and that was one of our main goals." Norwalk will continue to challenge itself with a non-league match against Div. II Sylvania Northview at home on Tuesday. Northview features 6-1 hitter Frankie Ramsdell-Washington, an NCAA Div. I North Texas commit. The Truckers then get a week off before hosting Bellevue (4-0), then Northern Ohio Conference Lake Division play gets underway on Sept. 10 at Clyde. "I'd love to say we get a break, but we don't with Northview next," Kipp said. "They are another strong, well-rounded, and well-coached group of kids. It will be another good match for us."