Photo courtesy of Iowa Central: Iowa Central volleyball sophomores were honored on Wednesday inside Hodges Fieldhouse. Pictured here are Tritons (front row, left to right) Mercedes Madlock, Noemia Chiacchio, Mya McClain, Alexis Hiracheta and Emma Bilhimer. Back: Leah Jolly, Tjaden Johnston, Leah Kramersmeier, Cecilia Venenga and Marissa Kaufman.

This current version of the Iowa Central volleyball team might not have the same star power of those in recent years.

But on Wednesday night, the sixth-ranked Tritons showed they are still a formidable collective unit.

As they honored 10 sophomores inside Hodges Fieldhouse, Iowa Central kept its standing in a tight race atop the ICCAC with a four-set win over Ellsworth.

Scores were 32-30, 25-22, 21-25 and 25-14.

Following the win, the Tritons (20-2 overall, 6-1 in league) honored Mya McClain, Mercedes Madlock, Alexis Hiracheta, Noemia Chiacchio, Emma Bilhimer, Tjaden Johnston, Leah Jolly, Marissa Kaufman, Cecilia Venenga and Leah Kramersmeier.

Over the past two seasons, the group has helped Iowa Central go 56-9 overall, 15-1 in the conference and 21-2 at home. The Tritons are currently tied atop the ICCAC with 11th-ranked Kirkwood and No. 16 Des Moines Area.

“This sophomore class is really special,” ICCC head coach Sara Horn said. “They might be the hardest-working class we’ve ever had who have shown the most improvement over the course of one year.

“They’re extremely competitive, hold each other accountable and have a really great balance of fun and work ethic. We are beyond proud of how they’ve grown this season and in their careers as Tritons.”

Four of those sophomores are from the direct area, as McClain graduated from St. Edmond; Hiracheta and Johnston from Fort Dodge Senior High; and Kaufman from Humboldt.

“Sophomore night is always such a heavy event,” Horn said. “They really want to play well. A lot of girls have parents at a game for the first time all season and they’re trying to hold back their emotions the entire game until sophomore night afterwards.

“Pair that with playing a 20-2 Ellsworth team that’s the best squad I’ve seen from them, and it is a lot to handle. The girls definitely showed their grit and toughness and showed why we are one of the best teams in the country.”

Ellsworth (20-3, 4-3) came into the match having won 10 in a row, including a recent sweep of 20th-rated Hawkeye. The Panthers won just nine matches each of the past two seasons.

“Our league is extremely tough and deep this year with a true 8 or 9 teams who can beat anyone on any given night,” Horn said. “Every win is important as seeding is even more important this year with only one team in our conference getting an automatic bid to nationals.

“With six teams currently ranked or receiving votes, it’s going to be a dogfight trying to earn that one automatic bid. This was an important win in conference standings as we would love a chance to host regionals again this year.”

Chiacchio had 21 kills with Bilhimer adding 11 and Araya Garrison 10. Manson Northwest Webster grads Emily Goodner and Olivia Sturgis each had seven.

Madlock finished with 48 assists and 22 digs, McClain had 18 digs and four assists, and Olivia Henson finished with 17 digs. Sturgis also had two solo blocks and five block assists with Garrison recording seven block assists and Madlock six.

Iowa Central returns to the court this Friday and Saturday when they compete in Boone at the DMACC Tournament. The Tritons face No. 4 Parkland, eighth-ranked Heartland and No. 14 (NJCAA Div. I) Indian Hills over the two-day event.