Nov. 8 -- OTTAWA -- For the Cissna Park volleyball team, they knew what to expect Thursday night.
A pressure-packed match. Plenty of fans in the stands. Energetic student sections.
And a nice welcome home once the Timberwolves arrived back at their high school in Iroquois County.
Win or lose.
But, just like in previous years, this Cissna Park team doesn't lose.
The Timberwolves held on to beat Lexington 25-23, 25-22 during a Class 1A Ottawa Marquette Sectional championship match on Thursday night, sending Cissna Park into the Elite Eight for the second straight year and fourth time in the last decade.
Cissna Park (34-3) will turn its attention to Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg (31-8) on Monday night in a Lexington Super-Sectional match that begins at 6 p.m., but coach Josh Landon soaked in Thursday night's victory on the two-hour bus ride home after dispatching the Minutemen.
"Honestly, it's indescribable," Landon said after winning his fourth sectional title at a program he's led since 2006. "The girls, myself, our coaching staff, we're super excited. We couldn't be happeir with what these girls have been able to accomplish this year. We're just completely blessed to continue on the tradition of this program and keep bringing home titles."
Addison Lucht powered the Timberwolves on Thursday night with 13 kills to go along with three aces. Sophie Duis added seven kills, while Ella Schluter (14 assists, five digs), Mady Marcott (11 assists) and Josie Neukomm (11 digs) all played pivotal roles in the latest postseason victory by Cissna Park.
This current group of Timberwolves is determined to reach the state tournament again after placing fourth last season, with many key players from last year's team filling vital roles again this fall.
"We've been tried and tested this year," Landon said. "We added some additional strength to our schedule, and that part has definitely helped out. They have the experience from last year where they've been in big-match situations."
Win on Monday night and Cissna Park will bring home its fourth state trophy since 2014. The Timberwolves have a second-place one from 2015, a third-place one from 2014 and a fourth-place one from 2023. All that is missing is the big trophy state champions celebrate with.
"It's going to be an awesome experience on Monday," Landon said. "That's what we keep chalking everything up as. We're focusing on every single point because it's so important. We're going to be so thrilled to continue that opportunity."