To call South Central Calhoun’s 2014 volleyball season a success would be an understatement.

In their fifth year as a combined program between Southern Cal and Rockwell City-Lytton, the sixth-ranked (Class 2A) Titans remain one of only three unbeatens left in the state, joining an elite group that includes No. 2 (4A) West Delaware and top-rated (5A) Bettendorf.

Wade Voith’s squad currently boasts a sparkling 31-0 record, including a 9-0 mark in the Twin Lakes Conference. SCC has prevailed in 72 of 75 games this fall. Spirit Lake, South Hamilton and then-No. 15 (3A) Carroll Kuemper are the only opponents to win a set against the Titans.

“We expected to be good, but I probably didn’t quite anticipate this,” said Voith, who previously directed Southern Cal to the 1A state quarterfinals in 2007 and 2009. “Getting ready for the beginning of the season, we were honestly kind of struggling after replacing our setter and back row players.

“Things have really fallen into place. Our kids all get along very well and are coachable. This has probably been one of the easier years I’ve had as a coach.”

Senior captains Haley Birks (245-for-250 serving, 295 assists, 165 kills, 139 digs), Hannah Corey (338 of 347 serving, 226 kills, 222 digs) and Maggie Anderson (359 assists, 127 kills, 52 blocks) are the focal points in South Central Calhoun’s balanced attack. Classmates Kylie Hepp (156 digs), Kori Assman (76 kills), Jenn Hood (209 digs), Tyffaney Toms (200 kills), Hailey Burley (227-for-240 serving) and Ashlee Taylor (32 aces) have also been leaned on heavily.

Birks, Corey and Assman all started for SCC’s 2A state quarterfinalist basketball team as juniors.

“With nine seniors, our leadership quite honestly takes care of itself,” Voith said. “We’ve been around the block long enough to know the drills of what’s expected. We don’t need as much leadership when everyone’s on the same page.”

After falling just one step short of a trip to the U.S. Cellular Center last season, South Central Calhoun is motivated to get over the hump this time around. Unable to seal the deal following a 2-0 advantage, the Titans were ousted by Grundy Center in a regional final a year ago.

“That loss was really painful in the way we did it,” said Voith. “Not that Grundy Center wasn’t a good team, because they outplayed us at the end. There were probably about four or five losses like that last season. We’ve learned to win close games by being aggressive to the very end and having confidence in every match we play.”

Defense and passing are two areas South Central Calhoun continues to shore up.

“Our defense has gotten a lot better, but we still have some room for improvement,” Voith said. “Occasionally, our passing has fallen apart, too. We have pretty tall blockers. It seems like our hitting, serving and setting have always been there.

“Without question, this team at the end hits the ball better than any team I’ve ever coached.”

Despite their impressive play so far this season, the Titans are still not satisfied.

“We did it a little differently with our team goals this year,” said Voith. “Our first goal was to win our Saturday tournaments. Our second goal was to win the conference, which we can hopefully pull off (tonight in a home match against East Sac County). Our third goal was to be the best team we can possibly be and be peaking (entering regionals).

“We’ll reassess our goals after Thursday, but I know the state tournament is in the back of their minds.”

South Central Calhoun will host either Audubon or Panorama in a 2A, Region 3 quarterfinal on Oct. 28. State action runs from Nov. 11-14 in Cedar Rapids.