By: Dana Becker

Messenger Sports Staff 

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Iowa Central volleyball team secured their third Top-5 finish in four seasons here Saturday at the NJCAA Div. II Championships.

After reeling off three consecutive wins on the consolation side, the Tritons fell for a second time this tournament to Pensacola State in three.

Iowa Central (34-7 overall) posted wins over Gulf Coast State, ICCAC rival Des Moines Area and defending national champion Richard Bland to reach the consolation semifinals. In the second round, they fell to Pensacola State in five.

"To finish fifth in NJCAA D2 after losing nearly every starter from last season was a huge accomplishment and a testament to how hard our sophomores worked in the offseason to accomplish that goal," ICCC head coach Sara Horn said. "Our sophomores set the bar extremely high and adding in a group of really talented freshmen was a great combination that led to another great year.

"This whole group battled from day one and to see them improve and grow all the way to the end was very rewarding as a coaching staff."

Noemia Chiacchio had nine kills with 13 digs, Araya Garrison added seven kills and both Emily Goodner and Olivia Sturgis had six kills. Mya McClain recorded 11 digs with six assists, Alexis Hiracheta 11 digs and Mercedes Madlock had 22 assists.

McClain, a St. Edmond graduate, and Hiracheta, a Fort Dodge Senior High grad, were among the many sophomores competing for a final time. They helped Iowa Central to a pair of regional titles and back-to-back conference regular season crowns.

The Tritons were seventh a season ago, placed fourth in 2021 and were third in 2020.

Cowley topped Scottsdale in five to win the national title.