ICCAC Division II Volleyball Conference awards were released this week and Triton Volleyball received six All-Region Team selections.
Leading the selections for the Tritons were Olivia Sturgis and Araya Garrison who both received First Team All-Region honors. Garrison averaged 1.91 kills per set and had 137 blocks, putting her fifth in the conference. Sturgis totaled 264 kills, hitting .349, placing her No. 11 in the conference. She is also second in the conference in blocks (158). "Our middles deservedly so were first team this season after leading the conference in both blocking and hitting percentage." said Triton Head Coach, Sara Horn, "They've made a name for themselves as two of the best middles in the country. We love when our post season awards come out, as it's a nice honor for our players that have had standout seasons."
Emily Goodner and Talya Sampson both earn Second Team All-Region selections. "Our outsides, Emily and Talya, have both had some really big matches for us. They were very deserving of their second team honors." said Horn.
Olivia Benson was a Third Team All-Region selection and Dani Anela Kapu received Honorable Mention All-Region honors. "The libero position is a tough position to earn awards for. Olivia did a great job this season in proving herself as one of top liberos in the conference." said Horn, "Anela has done a great job as one of our captains, leading this team on the floor."
The Tritons finished their season with a 29-7 overall record (9-2 conference) and head to Cedar Rapids, IA this week for the 2024 NJCAA National Tournament after receiving an at-large bid. Coach Horn is excited to get Tournament play underway. "Everyone comes into the National Tournament with a clean slate, and our girls have the right mind set going in with nothing to lose. We had a great week of practice last week and were really happy with where we're at. It's going be a fun week!"
The Tritons come in to the Tournament as the #10 seed and open play on Wednesday (11/20) at 3:30 PM vs. #7 seed Johnson County.
First Team All-Region:
|
Player |
School |
Position |
Year |
|
Abbi Brenizer |
DMACC |
M |
So. |
|
Emma Jones |
DMACC |
L |
So. |
|
Elitsa Peneva |
Ellsworth |
S |
So. |
|
Iowa Central |
MB |
So. |
|
|
Iowa Central |
MB |
So. |
|
|
Emma Meester |
Kirkwood |
RS |
So. |
|
Lily VanSeveren |
Kirkwood |
L |
So. |
|
Kaci Johnson |
Kirkwood |
S |
Fr. |
|
Mya Hedstrom |
Northeast |
OS |
Fr. |
|
Shaylyn Safranek |
Northeast |
S |
So. |
Second Team All-Region:
|
Player |
School |
Position |
Year |
|
Halia Mahi |
DMACC |
S |
So. |
|
Ana Cuartero |
Ellsworth |
OH |
So. |
|
Nohea Mahi |
Hawkeye |
S |
So. |
|
Iowa Central |
OH |
So. |
|
|
Iowa Central |
OH |
Fr. |
|
|
Ava Harris-Shepard |
Kirkwood |
M |
So. |
|
Ellie Hanna |
NIACC |
MB |
So. |
|
Alex Arenas |
Northeast |
OS |
So. |
|
Taryn Stephens |
Southeastern |
L |
Fr. |
|
Jagoda Szczepaniak |
Western Iowa Tech |
OH |
So. |
Third Team All-Region:
|
Player |
School |
Position |
Year |
|
Emma Liechti |
DMACC |
M |
Fr. |
|
Ludine Charron |
Ellsworth |
L |
So. |
|
Mallory Tisue |
Hawkeye |
M |
So. |
|
Iowa Central |
L |
So. |
|
|
Lily Kunselman |
Iowa Lakes |
OS |
Fr. |
|
Sydney Matthias |
Kirkwood |
S |
So. |
|
Genesis Melanciano |
Marshalltown |
OH |
So. |
|
Avery Couch |
Northeast |
M |
So. |
|
Maddie Jones |
Southeastern |
S |
Fr. |
|
Kaira Willits |
Western Iowa Tech |
S |
So. |
Honorable Mention All-Region:
|
Player |
School |
Position |
Year |
|
Jaelynne Clarke |
DMACC |
OH |
Fr. |
|
Natalie See |
Ellsworth |
MH |
So. |
|
Lexie Gehrke |
Hawkeye |
L |
So. |
|
Iowa Central |
S |
So. |
|
|
Kenzie Lee |
Iowa Lakes |
OH |
So. |
|
Lorin Turkdogan |
Iowa Lakes |
L |
Fr. |
|
Marissa Cahoy |
Kirkwood |
S |
Fr. |
|
Kaylee LaPlant |
Marshalltown |
MH |
Fr. |
|
Kit Byars |
NIACC |
MB |
So. |
|
Kaidence Wilson |
Northeast |
MB/OH |
So. |
|
Taryn Havener |
Southeastern |
M |
Fr. |
|
Emily Strait |
Southwestern |
L |
So. |
|
Whitney Hollins |
Southwestern |
M |
Fr. |
|
Karen Arredondo Bedoya |
Western Iowa Tech |
L |
So. |
Player of the Year: Kaci Johnson, Kirkwood
Freshman of the Year: Kaci Johnson, Kirkwood
Coach of the Year: Dave Brown, Kirkwood