—Photo by Paul DeCoursey Sophomore gabby sullivan was recently named Iowa Central’s top female athlete.

Gabby Sullivan’s sophomore season on the volleyball court was a historical one for Iowa Central.

Now, the school is honoring her for her achievements, as Sullivan was named the top female athlete recently.

Sullivan is the fourth volleyball player to earn the award, joining Ali Grein, former Fort Dodge Senior High standout Morgan Brown and Dana Shillington.

“Receiving this award is one of the best ways I could have imagined finishing out my athletic career here at Iowa Central,” said Sullivan, who will head to Wayne State College in the fall to continue playing volleyball. “I am very honored and humbled to have been chosen for it as there are so many amazing female athletes on this campus that are also very deserving.”

In the fall, Sullivan helped lead the Tritons to a 10th place finish at the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament. She became the first Iowa Central player ever to be named first team All-American, securing top honors by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

She led the nation in total attacks with 1,886 and ranked second in kills with 682. Her average of almost 4.5 kills per set placed her fourth in the nation.

Over the past two years, Sullivan believes she has become a better athlete and person through work with head volleyball coach Sara Horn and other members of the Iowa Central staff.

“One of the biggest things coming to Iowa Central has given me is growth. I have grown into a more solid volleyball player and more focused student, but being a student-athlete here at Iowa Central has changed me as a person more than anything,” Sullivan said. “I truly believe coming to school here has prepared me for my future at Wayne State in all three of those aspects.

“It’s hard to say what I will miss most about Iowa Central, because I’m going to miss every little thing. But what I will miss most is all the people I have met and relationships I have had the blessing of creating while being here. All the successes we had this last season mean nothing compared to the girls I was able to share it with. Triton Nation has surely taken a huge part of my heart.”

Sullivan was just the seventh different Iowa Central player to be named an All-American and the first since 2012. She set new school records for most attacks and kills in a season, along with most attacks and kills in a single match.

“I would like to thank my parents and family for supporting me through this entire journey,” Sullivan said. “And a huge thank you to Coach Horn for everything she has done for me. I can’t even put into words how appreciative I am of her and how much she has impacted my life.”

The award is voted on by the Iowa Central athletic department and given out yearly to a sophomore athlete that has represented the school positively on the field and off of it.

Outstanding Female Athlete

2018 — Gabby Sullivan, Volleyball

2017 — Jessica Gunderson, Sports Shooting/Band and Anastasia Forrester, Track and Field

2016 — Ali Grein, Volleyball and Tangy Wiseman, Cross Country/Basketball/Track and Field

2015 — Destiny Carter, Track and Field

2014 — Kianna Carter Track and Field and Hannah Maina, Cross Country/Track and Field

2013 — Jodi Miller, Track and Field/Cross Country

2012 — Morgan Allee, Softball and Mika Rodewald, Basketball

2011 — Stepanie Gale, Soccer

2010 — Amanda Vorthmann, Cross Country/Track and Field

2009 — Holly Tjaden, Cross Country/Track and Field

2008 — Morgan Brown, Volleyball

2007 — Ashley Stevens, Cross Country/Track and Field

2006 — Jackie McNamara, Soccer and Dana Shillington, Volleyball

2005 — Kim Saufl, Soccer and Abby Olson, Basketball/Softball

2004 — Kelly Burns, Soccer

2003 — Sarah Krogman, Soccer/Basketball and Becky Lauver, Soccer

2002 — Brooke Brown, Basketball

2001 — Carrie Miller, Soccer/Softball

2000 — Samantha Kinne, Basketball

1999 — Stephanie Grettenberg, Basketball

1998 — Jama Anderson, Softball

1997 — Heather Casey, Basketball

1996 — Karla Ayers, Softball

1995 — Jolene Marsh, Basketball

1994 — Nikki Bergman, Basketball

1993 — Brenda Rowley, Basketball

1992 — Stacey Burke, Basketball

1991 — Lori Olson, Basketball

1990 — Shelly Dhondt, Basketball