by:  DANA BECKER

The Messenger Sports Reporter

dbecker@messengernews.net

The fourth-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team went 3-1 here this past weekend in action inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

The Tritons picked up wins over Lincoln Land and Illinois Central on Friday, before splitting on Saturday with a five-set loss to Bismarck and a four-set win over Central-Columbus.

"It's always great hosting these home tournaments and seeing great teams on our own court," ICCC head coach Sara Horn said. "We had six very good teams from five states/conferences, so these matches were important for national rankings.

"No team came out unscathed this weekend, which goes to show how high the level was in the gym. We would have of course loved to have come out 4-0, but we learned a lot and got a ton of reps and we'll take 3-1 with these tough teams."

Katilyn Steffes earned all-tournament MVP honors for the second consecutive year, with Humboldt grad Jori Hajek and Brooke Dobson joining her on the honor squad.

"These three have done a great job of bringing their experience from last season into bigger leadership roles this season," Horn said. :We will continue to look to them for leadership and production."

Steffes had 20 kills, 15 digs and a pair of aces in the tourney opener vs. Lincoln Land, while Dobson had 10 kills and Noemia Chiacchio nine. Kira Matthias had 18 digs and Hajek 15.

Steffes and Hajek each had 11 kills vs. Illinois Central, as Humboldt grad Deni McDaniel had 19 assists. Steffes also recorded 12 digs and Mercedes Madlock had 13 assists.

Former St. Edmond standout Mya McClain had two serving aces and a dig with Fort Dodge Senior High grad Tjaden Johnston also seeing the court.

In the setback to Bismarck State, Steffes had 24 kills and 22 digs, Hajek 11 kills and 22 digs and Matthias 32 digs. McDaniel recorded 25 assists, McClain had eight digs and FDSH grad Kiana Touney four kills.

The finale with Central-Columbus saw Steffes pick up 21 kills and 26 digs, Dobson 13 kills and Hajek eight with 18 digs. McClain had two more aces and four digs, McDaniel 25 assists and 10 digs, and Chiacchio nine kills.

Iowa Central (10-2 overall, 1-0 in ICCAC) returns to league play this Wednesday night when they host Southeastern at 7 p.m.

Full article- https://www.messengernews.net/sports/local-sports/2022/09/tritons-pick-up-three-wins/