Photo by Paul DeCoursey: The Iowa Central volleyball team has reached the NJCAA national semifinals for the first time in program history.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Two matches and two sweeps have the Iowa Central volleyball team headed to the semifinals for the first time in program history.

The Tritons started Tuesday off by besting Carl Sandburg in the opening round of the NJCAA Div. II National Championship inside the Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena.

Iowa Central, seeded third and ranked No. 3 in the nation, followed that up with a 3-0 victory over Catawba Valley in the quarterfinals, setting them up for a showdown with No. 2 Parkland in the final four back here on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

“We knew we had this kind of potential going into the year,” Iowa Central head coach Sara Horn said. “I thought we did a great job of coming out and handling our first match. Obviously, there are going to be nerves, but we battled through those and played a very good match to begin the day.”

This is the sixth appearance at nationals for the Tritons as a program, but just the second time they have won their first match, joining the 2012 team.

Kealey Anderson led the way with 27 kills on the day, including 15 in the opener. She also had 16 digs and four total blocks for Iowa Central in the sweeps.

“It feels amazing,” Anderson said. “We’re playing lights-out and I’m so proud of our team. Everyone contributes and lays it all out on the floor.

“As a team, we’re clicking better now than we ever had before. I’m so excited for Wednesday and I can’t wait to see how far we go.”

Angel Baylark added 12 kills in the victory over Catawba Valley with Katilyn Steffes recording 11 and four digs. Alesha Johnson had 32 assists in both matches with 17 total digs and a pair of kills.

Baylark also had nine kills vs. Carl Sandburg and Molly McCauley finished with seven kills in the two matches. Baylyn Johnson recorded 23 digs.

“We’re all super stoked,” Steffes said. “I think we’re all ready to make history. We’ve all worked so hard for this and we can’t wait for the semifinals.”

Haley Alharithy picked up eight kills and eight blocks in the two matches for the Tritons, who have won six in a row and earned 17 wins in three sets this season.

Parkland advanced with a sweep over Sauk Valley in the quarterfinals after besting Terra State in the opening round in four.