Aug 23, 2024
By: Dana Becker, The Messenger Sports Reporter
dbecker@messengernews.net
Photo courtesy of Iowa Central: Area athletes on the Iowa Central volleyball team for 2024 are (left to right): Avery Dreyer (Humboldt), Emily Goodner (Manson Northwest Webster), Olivia Sturgis (Manson Northwest Webster), Addi Hindt (Southeast Valley) and Maddison Kaiser (Eagle Grove).
Under head coach Sara Horn, the Iowa Central volleyball program has positioned itself among the elite teams in all of Div. II junior college.
Last year, the Tritons secured their third Top-5 finish at nationals after qualifying for a fourth consecutive season. During this run, Iowa Central has reached No. 1 in the polls, placed as high as third, and claimed eight combined ICCAC regular season titles and Region XI crowns.
"I think one big piece that we've worked hard on and had some great buy-in from our players is hard work in the offseason," Horn said. "We've been able to start mostly sophomores each year, so the freshmen are doing a great job in coming in and believing in the training we're doing while having great sophomore leadership to look up to.
"If players don't start their freshman year, they've worked hard to become bigger role players by their second season. It's a big advantage to have mostly sophomores on the court. That also enables us to play some talented freshmen that have great leaders surrounding them on the floor."
Olivia Sturgis, a former Manson Northwest Webster standout, is the lone returning all-region player, earning second team status as a freshman. She is joined by fellow former Cougar Emily Goodner — as well as Natalie Hagadon, Araya Garrison, Olivia Benson and Matea Cunningham — as key returning pieces.
"Olivia, Emily, Araya, Olivia and Natalie are all returning starters and key players," Horn said. "Anela Kapu and Brooke Lensing have had a great offseason.
"We are looking for some big roles with these players."
Sturgis had 304 kills with 153 total blocks last year, while Goodner recorded 292 kills, 117 digs and 55 blocks. Garrison had 248 kills with 138 blocks, Hagadon added 70 digs, 47 aces and 37 kills, Benson recorded 55 aces. Cunningham chipped in 28 digs with 11 aces.
Former area standouts Addi Hindt of Southeast Valley, Avery Dreyer from Humboldt and Eagle Grove graduate Maddison Kaiser are among the newcomers to the roster.
Freshmen Talya Sampson, Dena Robb and Anabel Seaman "have done a great job standing out this preseason," Horn said.
The Tritons have gone 112-17 since 2021, and have won at least 20 matches every year since 2013. Iowa Central will begin this season seventh in the preseason poll, which includes conference rivals Kirkwood and Des Moines Area, and as conference favorites ahead of both the Eagles and Bears.
Horn is once again assisted by former Iowa Central All-American Gabby (Sullivan) Marker.
Following a two-day road trip to Rockford, Ill. to begin the season on Friday and Saturday, the Tritons make their Hodges Fieldhouse debut on Wednesday vs. William Penn JV.
2024 IOWA CENTRAL VOLLEYBALL
Roster
Sophomores — Olivia Sturgis, Manson; Emily Goodner, Manson; Matea Cunningham, Illinois; Rachel Zanter, South Dakota; Dani Anela Kapu, Hawaii; Brooke Lensing, Minnesota; Natalie Hagadon, Walnut; Araya Garrison, Illinois; Camryn Stevens, Alaska; Olivia Benson, Walford; Tionn Wise, Waterloo.
Freshmen — Addi Hindt, Gowrie; Anabel Seaman, Nebraska; Taylor Thompson, Kansas; Shirley Monaghan, Grundy Center; Zora Whitt, Missouri; Avery Dreyer, Algona; Talya Sampson, Kansas; Maia Esera, Hawaii; Dena Robb, LaPorte City; Genna LeMay, Nebraska; Ava Anderson, Kansas; Mallory Rheingans, Northwood; Maddison Kaiser, Eagle Grove.
Schedule
Aug. 23 — vs. Sauk Valley, Muskegon in Rockford, Ill; 24 — vs. Pensacola State, Gulf Coast State in Rockford, Ill.; 28 — William Penn JV; 30 — vs. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Lake Region State in Sioux City.
Sept. 4 — Western Iowa Tech; 6 — Neosho, Kansas City-Kansas; 7 — Rock Valley, Rochester Tech; 11 — NIACC; 18 — at DMACC; 20 — vs. Illinois Central, Black Hawk in Madison, Wis.; 21 — vs. Milwaukee Area, Madison College in Madison, Wis.; 24 — at Hawkeye; 26 — Southwestern.
Oct. 2 — Marshalltown; 4 — vs. Bismarck State, Lincoln Land in Boone; 5 — vs. Illinois Central, Coffeyville in Boone; 9 — at Ellsworth; 11 — at Central-Columbus; 15 — at Southeastern; 17 — Northeast; 23 — at Kirkwood; 25 — Cowley County, Allen County; 26 — Richard Bland; 30 — Iowa Lakes.
Nov. 2 — Iowa Western.
Full article - https://www.messengernews.net/sports/local-sports/2024/08/iowa-central-tries-to-sustain-elite-level-of-success/