Ironmen volleyball is set to settle their season series against crosstown rivals, the 34-3 Normal West Wildcats, in a high-stakes Sectional Semifinal showdown on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. at Normal West High School.

Te season series tied at 1-1 after Community handed West one of their three losses this season, winning 2-0 in their Intercity match. West retaliated with a 2-0 victory during Big 12 Conference play on the way to a Big 12 Conference title.

Community’s head coach Ms. Christine Konopasek believes that Tuesday’s game will come down to each team’s ability to manage mental and emotional pressure.

“Tuesday is going to be tough,” Konopasek said. “It’s not some random team from the south part of the sectional—it’s their friends. They know a lot about each other.”

While the Ironmen have shown promise in previous high-stakes games, Konopasek said that at times the added pressure has caused Community to play “tight.”

“I hope we stay composed,” she said. “If we can just calm down and stay focused, I think we’re in a good spot.”

The Wildcats won’t make it easy though, as they boast a formidable offensive threat with a powerhouse trio of pin hitters: Ellie Rink (.334), Avery Feltes (.319) and Olivia Ziemer (.220).

Konopasek praised the Wildcats’ offense, especially the versatility and skill of their two leaders.

“Avery is very good, but I think Ellie Rink is great,” Konopasek said. “Between the two of them, they take care of the ball and score pretty effectively in a handful of ways.”

The Wildcats’ strong pin attack creates a strategic advantage as West is able to attack off of any pass.

But that offense isn’t completely infallible.

“They don’t rely much on their middles, which can make them more predictable and easier to defend if we can adjust,” Konopasek said.

While the Wildcats may not utilize their middles much, the Iron will.

“We do better,” Konopasek said, “when our middles become a consistent point in our offense.”

That statement was shown true in the Iron’s Regional Championship match against Minooka, when senior middle Maia Olson posted an impressive .643 hitting percentage with nine kills.

For an Ironmen victory, Konopasek said, Community must maintain focus and stay unified.

“The thing we keep saying is to ‘be ready,’” Konopasek said. “Be steady, stay engaged, support your teammates and make sure we’re all on the same page.”

Those have been the keys when the Iron have been at their best this season.

“Other people have told me after having watched us play [that] we battle, we fight for points,” Konopasek said. “So, if we’re doing that, scrapping, and trying to continually rally, I think that we can play with everybody.”

The winner of Tuesday’s game will advance to the Sectional Championship, where they’ll face either O’Fallon or Belleville West on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Normal West.