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CRUISE CONTROL

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Olivia Sturgis of Iowa Central tips the ball around Southwestern Carly Roberts on Wednesday inside Hodges Fieldhouse

Under Sara Horn, the Iowa Central volleyball program has reached heights never seen before.

The eighth-ranked Tritons continued their push towards another ICCAC regular season title here Thursday night inside Hodges Fieldhouse, sweeping Southwestern.

Scores were 25-13, 25-14 and 25-15.

Iowa Central (17-3 overall, 5-0 in league) used a 17-3 closing run in the first set to erase an early 5-0 deficit for its fifth straight win and fifth conference sweep of the season.

“We had a plan going in to play a lot of girls and we were able to do that,” Horn said. “I thought they did a great job of staying pretty consistent. It’s really hard to do that when you’re playing a lot of different groups but I think they fought through it and did well.

“We have a lot of talent on this team so it’s great to be able to see it all out there on the floor.”

Araya Garrison, the reigning national and conference player of the week, had 10 kills while Talya Sampson added nine and Shirley Monaghan had five. Brooke Lensing chipped in four with former Manson Northwest Webster standouts Emily Goodner and Olivia Sturgis each adding three.

Tionn Wise also had three as the Tritons committed just 13 attack errors on the night.

“This is just a really good group that is super low maintenance,” Horn said. “They work hard and they all have the talent to play. Early in the year we knew we were just off a little but it’s starting to come together and is a lot of fun to see.”

Dani Anela Kapu had a team-leading 13 assists as Anabel Seaman recorded nine. Zora Whitt had four with both Natalie Hagadon and Camryn Stevens finishing with two.

Seaman added eight digs, Goodner, Hagadon and Sampson all had seven and Sturgis finished with three block assists. Goodner had three aces with Seaman and Hagadon each recording two.

A dozen players saw the court in at least two sets with four more getting into action in one.

“I think everyone is doing a great job of using their talents and being really good at their position,” Horn said. “We subbed almost everybody out but even when they come out, they are cheering on their teammate.

“They have really bought into the we over me motto.”

Iowa Central closes out September having lost just five sets over the course of 13 matches played. They host Marshalltown on Wednesday before heading to Boone for the DMACC Tournament where they will play Bismarck State, Lincoln Land and have a rematch with 12th-ranked Illinois Central, the only team to beat them since Aug. 24.

A key conference showdown with sixth-ranked Kirkwood that will likely decide the league champion looms in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 23. The Tritons follow that up by hosting No. 1 Cowley County and fourth-ranked Richard Bland.

“We have a great week coming up,” Horn said. “They just like playing regardless of who we are going up against. They are the type of team that just feels like every match is a really big match.”

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