Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Noemia Chiacchio of Iowa Central makes a diving save against Southeastern earlier this season.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Iowa Central volleyball squad enters the postseason as the ICCAC champions.

The fourth-ranked Tritons, who swept Northeast (Neb.) on the road Wednesday, now have a week to prepare for the conference tournament. Head coach Sara Horn’s team carries a 28-4 overall record into Friday’s regular-season finale and its league tourney opener at home against Hawkeye Community College.

Iowa Central, which has earned the No. 3 seed, shared the ICCAC crown with No. 5 Kirkwood and 12th-rated DMACC.

“Our conference has been a big challenge this year, with seven teams ranked or receiving votes,” Horn said. “To finish 10-1 (in league play) with tough matches every week is a testament to the leadership and work ethic of this sophomore class.”

Noemia Chiacchio and Emma Bilhimer both recorded 10 kills for the Tritons on Wednesday in the victory. Manson Northwest Webster graduates Emily Goodner and Olivia Sturgis added eight and six, respectively.

Mercedes Madlock tallied 36 assists, 10 digs and three aces. St. Edmond grad Mya McClain contributed 17 digs.

“We start five sophomores this year: Mya, Mercedes Madlock, Noemia, Emma and (Fort Dodge Senior High alum) Alexis Hiracheta,” Horn said. “The amount of growth we’ve seen out of these five over the course of the last 15 months has been remarkable. They have a really great balance of grit, competitiveness, and fun and are also coachable and want to get better.

“We love this group, and we definitely want to see them reach all of their goals.”

Iowa Central is at Illinois Central on Friday to close the regular season. The Tritons’ match with Hawkeye inside Hodges Fieldhouse will start at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

The ICCAC receives only one automatic bid to nationals this year, compared to two in the past. The NJCAA Div. II national tournament will have four wild-card teams and 16 total qualifiers for its event in Cedar Rapids.

In addition to the league champ, up to two wild-card squads could potentially be selected to participate in nationals. The semifinals and finals will be in Boone on Nov. 4-5.