Iowa Central will have a lot of new faces on the volleybal court, but the group has the demeanor to carry on the tradition that head coach Sara Horn has built.

The Triton volleyball team has been a national threat for the past three seasons, finishing seventh (2022), fourth (2021) and third (2020).

In that three-year stretch, the Tritons have compiled a 100-14 record (87.7 winning percentage).

At the regional level, the Tritons have won five consecutive ICCAC championships. Since 2011 the Tritons have qualified for the national tournament seven times (eight overall) and have been regional runner ups (one match from nationals) five times.

With only two starters back from last year’s seventh-place team, the new version of Triton volleyball isn’t being shy about what they accomplish, bannering the motto “Pursue and defend in silence.”

“They don’t want this to be a rebuilding year,” Horn said. “They want to continue the success and have worked extremely hard in the offseason to make sure we do that.

“We have won five consecutive ICCAC championships and we have been old the last three or four years. We have a good group returning, and they know the history of the program. We have good team chemistry and this is going to be a fun year.”

Looking to carry over the momentum will be returning sophomore starters Mercedes Madlock and Leah Jolly. Including Madlock and Johnson, there are 10 sophomores back.

As a setter, Madlock had 1,381 for the Tritons and was fourth on the team with 351 digs and 58 kills.

Jolly was fifth in kills with 103. Jolly was fifth in points with 181 and Madlock was seventh (131).

“Mercedes was an all-conference setter and we are expecting big things out of her,” Horn said. “It will be good to see her more free and leading this team.

“Leah plays in the middle with a ton of energy.”

Also back for the Tritons is St. Edmond graduate Mya McClain. In her sophomore campaign, McClain had 107 sets, 41 aces and 108 digs.

“She was our serving specialist,” Horn said. “She started a few games for us and played on our regional team.

“She had a solid preseason and got voted a captain.”

Manson Northwest Webster graduates Olivia Sturgis (MB/OH) and Emily Goodner (OH) will look to be in the starting rotation early, along with Fort Dodge graduate Alexis Hiracheta (DS) and Cedar Rapids Prairie graduate Olivia Benson (DS).

“Sturgis is in the middle and she is very athletic and works hard,” Horn said. “Emily has had some good scrimmages and is a great hitter on the outside.

“Olivia and Alexis have been working really hard and will see a lot of minutes.”

Horn has a solid group of former Messenger-area athletes with nine on the roster.

Former Dodger Tjaden Johnston is back for her sophomore season and freshman Maggie Elsbecker will be a setter and defensive specialist.

“Maggie played as a setter at Fort Dodge, but we knew she could play back row,” Horn said. “Maggie is a good volleyball player and we are excited to see what she can bring.

“Tjaden is a returnee and is a good utility player. She is a great athlete and has good heat on the ball.”

Sophomore Marissa Kaufman and freshman Kayla Gieber will represent Humboldt. Kaufman, who played in 16 matches and had 26 kills and 11 digs, tore her labrum and will be out for a good part of the season.

“Marissa had some starting time as a freshman,” Horn said. “Her blocking was fantastic and she worked on her attacking in the offseason.

“Kayla has a lot of potential. She is a lefty and with some consistency will bring a lot to the table.”

Webster City graduate Sierra Rattenborg will give Horn three lefties on the team.

“Sierra always played on the left, and she gives us a different look as an outside hitter,” Horn said. “She has a cannon out there.”

For the Tritons to continue their streak in the ICCAC, they must go through sophomore dominated Kirkwood and DMACC. The Tritons are ranked seventh in the preseason poll and Kirkwood is 10th.

“Kirkwood and DMACC have a ton of All-Americans back with mostly their entire teams,” Horn said. “Kirkwood is now coached by former Iowa assistant Dave Brown. I expect some good things out of DMACC as well. They return almost all of their starters and will be really tough.

“Ellsworth will be competitive as well.”

The Tritons began the season going 3-1 in the Rockford tournament this past weekend.

ROSTER

Sophomores — Mya McClain, DS, Fort Dodge; Mercedes Madlock, S, Bonner Springs, KS; Alexis Hiracheta, DS, Fort Dodge; Noemia Chiacchio, OH, Campinas Sao Paulo; Emma Bilhimer, RS, Olathe, KS; Tjaden johnston, MB/OH, Fort Dodge; Leah Jolly, MB/RS, Springfield, OH; Marissa Kaufman, MB, Humboldt; Cecilia Venenga, MB/RS, Anamosa.

Freshmen — Olivia Sturgis, MB/OH, Manson Northwest Webster; Emily Goodner, OH, Manson Northwest Webster; Rachel Zanter, DS, Beresford, SD; Dani Anela Kapu, S, Laie, HI; Brooke Lensing, RS/MB, Madelia, MN; Natalie Hagadon, OH, Walnut; Araya Garrison, MB, Bradenton, IL; Camryn Stevens, S/DS, Anchorage, AK; Olivia Benson, DS, Walford; Kayla Gieber, RS, Humboldt; Maggie Elsbecker, S/DS, Fort Dodge; Sierra Rattenborg, RS, Webster City; Alana Burton, OH, Ogden; Matea Cunningham, OH, Tolono, IL; Tionn Wise, MB/OH, Waterloo.

SCHEDULE

Aug. 22 — Grand View JV, 5:30 p.m.; 24 — William Penn JV, 5:30 p.m.; 30 — Southeastern, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 — Neosho, 3 p.m./Central Community College-Columbus, 6:30 p.m.; 2 — Illinois Central College 11:15 a.m./Bismarck State College, 1 p.m.; 6 — Kirkwood, 7 p.m.; 8 — at John Wood, 3 p.m.; 13 — at Iowa Lakes, 7 p.m.; 15-16 — at North Dakota State tourney, Wahepton, ND; 19 — at NIACC, 7 p.m.; 21 — DMACC, 7 p.m.; 27 — at Marshalltown, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 — Ellsworth, 7 p.m. — 6-7 — at DMACC Tourney; 10 — at Southwestern, 7 p.m.; 12 — Hawkeye, 7 p.m.; 18 — at Western Iowa Tech, 7 p.m.; 20-21 — Iowa Central Invitational; 25 — at Northeast, 7 p.m.; 27 — at Illinois Central, 5 p.m.