The 10-3 Iron volleyball team’s perfect home record and six-game win-streak is on the line when they host the annual Intercity Volleyball Tournament this Saturday, facing the undefeated Normal West Wildcats (17-0), U-High (17-2) and Central Catholic (14-2).

Community’s road to an Intercity title won’t be an easy one, thanks to the tournament schedule.

While the Iron’s opponents will have the benefit of facing the 1-12 Bloomington Raiders on Saturday, the Ironmen have no such advantage.

After Community opens play against the Central Catholic Saints, ranked No. 2 in IHSA Class 2A, the Iron take on the No.4 team in IHSA 4A Wildcats, ending Saturday against the top team in IHSA 3A–and defending Intercity champs–the Pioneers.

To weather the storm, Iron head coach Ms. Christine Konopasek said Community will have to strike quickly on offense.

To knock off some of the top teams in the State, Community has “to score quickly,” something Konopasek said, the Iron can accomplish if they “serve and pass well” and execute on “opportunities in transition.”

“Rallying for points,” Konopasek said, “isn’t necessarily going to be helpful. We can’t give them opportunities to score if we’re able to strike first.”

To strike, the Iron will need to minimize errors.

“Whoever’s making the fewest mistakes is going to be the one that’s successful,” Konopasek said.

Offensively, seniors Maia Olsen (.286 hitting percentage) and Sydney Janssen (.233) will spearhead the attack. But, for an Intercity victory, the seniors will need support from juniors Maggie Michaels and Alana Whitfield.

“We need to give [Michaels and Whitfield] opportunities to be able to score,” Konopasek said.

That will be a cohesive team effort, the coach said.

“We need to either be a little bit more deceptive,” Konopasek said, “or a little bit more aggressive offensively to be able to produce points.”

Shot selection will be a key come Saturday, as points won’t come easy against opposition like the 6-foot middles from U-High, Laney Snow (32 total blocks), and Central Catholic, Rosie Krenz (31 total blocks).

The Wildcats, too, have proven hard to put up points against, seeing just four contests go to three sets this season. Among their opponents in those matches–4A’s No. 5-ranked Loyola Academy and No. 16 Lyons Township.

And Central Catholic.

“Central Catholic’s really strong,” Konopasek said, “I feel like they have an opportunity to do some damage.”

But so do the Iron, as Konopasek believes the team’s “battle-tested.”

Playing back-to-back tight, three-set matches is something the Iron are experienced with this season, something that “definitely” sets them up to compete in Intercity, Konopasek said.

To compete, the Iron will rely on solid defense and aggressive play, something that’s been a cornerstone of their wins this season.

Senior Mya Blumenshine and junior Maggie Michaels are leading Community’s defensive production this season, topping the stat sheet in serve receives and digs.

The duo will be tasked with stopping the attack of U-High’s Snow, a senior hitting .358 on the season and averaging 3.8 kills per set, and the Saint’s Krenz (.500 hitting percentage) and Kampbell Niepagen (4.7 kills/set).

“Intercity,” Konopasek said, “is always a question mark.” Every year, she said, “it seems like … any team can pull out a win,” “maybe” one “that’s not expected.”

Intercity opens at Community at 9 a.m. on Sept. 28, with the Iron’s tourney concluding on Monday against Bloomington High School.