Photo by Paul DeCoursey Gabby Sullivan of Iowa Central returns a shot inside Hodges Fieldhouse during the regular season.

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The Iowa Central volleyball team didn’t finish with a win on the final day of the NJCAA national tournament, but they didn’t go down without a fight.

The 16th-ranked Tritons (32-11 overall) lost a three-set match to No. 10 Central Community College of Columbus to place 10th overall.

The Tritons dropped the first two games, 25-23 and 27-25. They bounced back with 25-18 and 25-12 wins before falling 17-15 in the final set.

“The girls weren’t ready to go home,” said Iowa Central head coach Sara Horn. “They caught us a little bit sleepy (in the 8 a.m. match), but we responded and rallied.”

Gabby Sullivan, who has been hampered by a knee injury during the tournament, came up big and finished with 42 kills and 14 digs.

“Gabby was unstoppable,” Horn said. “She fired up our defense, and they just started digging up balls left and right.

“Our girls weren’t done yet after getting down 0-2.”

Sullivan’s performance earned her all-tournament honors — a rare feat for a player on a 10th-place squad.

“Her game (Saturday) was unbelievable,” Horn said. “She’s a special person and a great player. I recruited her as a middle blocker, but the first week of her freshman season we talked about switching.

“During the offseason she mastered the position (outside hitter) and worked hard and it has paid off. She has turned into one of the best players in the country.”

Libby Zorn had 10 kills for the Tritons. Michele O’Haver and Kryssie Okinaka had 35 and 25 digs, respectively. Hannah Murray added 19.

Kayla Faldet finished with 10 blocks. Abby Lohrmann had 58 assists.

Sullivan and O’Haver, along with fellow sophomores Lexi Green, Liza Hatcher (Fort Dodge graduate) and Emily Nelson have played an integral role.

“We have a large group of freshmen, so they needed to be led,” Horn said. “This group of sophomores has done an outstanding job of leading this team in the right direction.

“All five sophomores have started at some point this season, and have done just a few rotations or subed in. They have had good attitudes and have done what they needed to, showing tremendous leadership.”