-Messenger photo by Britt Kudler Iowa Central’s Olivia Sturgis throws the ball around Southwest’s Carly Roberts inside Hodges Fieldhouse Wednesday.
Under Sarah Horn, the Iowa Central volleyball program has reached unprecedented heights.
The No. 8 Tritons continued their push for another ICCAC regular season title by sweeping Southwestern on Thursday night inside Hodges Fieldhouse here.
The scores were 25-13, 25-14, 25-15.
Iowa Central (17-3 overall, 5-0 league) went on a late 17-3 run in the first set to erase an early 5-0 deficit and claim its fifth straight win of the season and fifth in the conference. He scored a victory.
“We had a plan to play a lot of girls, and we were able to do that.” Horn said. “I thought they did a great job of being consistent. It’s really hard to do that when you’re playing against a lot of different groups, but I thought they fought through it and did a good job.” .
“There’s a lot of talented players on this team, so it’s great to see it all on the floor.”
Alaya Garrison, the reigning national and conference player of the week, had 10 kills, Talia Sampson added nine kills and Shirley Monahan had five kills. Brooke Lensing added four points, and former Manson Northwest Webster standouts Emily Goodner and Olivia Sturgis each added three points.
Tion Wise also had three as the Tritons committed just 13 offensive errors on the night.
“This is a really good group that is very low maintenance.” Horn said. “They work hard and have the talent to play. We knew they were a little off at the beginning of the year, but they’re slowly starting to come together and it’s a lot of fun to watch.”
Dani Anela Kap had a team-leading 13 assists, and Annabelle Seaman had nine. Zora Witt finished fourth, with Natalie Hagadorn and Kamryn Stevens finishing second.
Seaman had eight goals, Goodner, Hagadon and Sampson had seven goals and Sturgis had three block assists. Goodner had three aces, Seaman and Hagadon each had two.
More than a dozen players took to the court for at least two sets, and four more played one set.
“I think everyone is using their talents and doing a really good job in their position.” Horn said. “We have almost everyone substituted, but even if they are sent off, they are rooting for their teammates.
“They really understand our motto more than I do.”
Iowa Central finished September losing just five sets out of 13 matches. They will host Marshalltown on Wednesday before heading to Boone for the DMACC Tournament, where they will face Bismarck State, Lincoln Land and No. 12 Illinois, the only team to beat them since Aug. 24. -We are planning a rematch with Central.
A key conference showdown with No. 6 Kirkwood that will likely decide the league champion is coming up on Oct. 23 in Cedar Rapids. The Tritons will then host No. 1 Cowley County and No. 4 Richard Bland.
“It’s going to be a great week.” Horn said. “They just like to play, no matter who we play. They’re the type of team that feels like every game is a really big game.”
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