ROCKFORD, Ill. — The ninth-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team kicked off the 2025 season here Friday with two matches against fellow Top-10 teams at the OWT hosted by Rockford.

After falling to No. 6 Gulf Coast State, 3-1, the Tritons lost a five-set thriller to third-ranked Heartland, 3-2.

Talya Sampson recorded 18 kills and Shirley Monaghan 12 with 10 digs in the opening match, as former Fort Dodge Senior High Standout Meah McCaleb added eight digs and a kill.

In the five-setter with Heartland, the Tritons fell in the final set, 18-16. Sampson had 15 kills, Monaghan 14 and McCaleb recorded 10 digs.

Next action for Iowa Central will be back here on Saturday for two matches, as they play Lurleen B. Wallace at 8 a.m. and No. 10 Pensacola State at noon.