Photo by Iowa Central athletics: Iowa Central students rush the court and celebrate after the No. 9 Tritons knocked off top-ranked Kirkwood on Thursday night inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

Sara Horn and her coaching staff have ingrained a winning mentality into the Iowa Central volleyball players.

On Thursday night, that constant reminder of just how good you can be paid off in a five-set classic with top-ranked Kirkwood.

After claiming the first two sets in dramatic fashion, the No. 9 Tritons regrouped and rallied, stunning the Eagles to secure the ICCAC regular season championship and No. 1 seed in the opening regional tournament.

Scores were 30-28, 25-20, 19-25, 23-25 and 15-11.

“We’ve told the girls all season that they can beat anybody,” said Horn, as she did her best overcome the celebration that found her in the locker room by her waiting players. “We have all the pieces you need to beat any team out there, and I don’t know if they always believe it. But I think (Thursday night), they believed it enough.

“And how about that atmosphere? What an environment to play college volleyball in. The stands were packed, the crowd was loud, the cheerleaders were involved; it was just really an exciting and fun match.”

Talya Sampson recorded 23 kills with 16 digs, Cooper Griffin had 12, Meah McCaleb registered 24 digs and Shirley Monaghan had nine kills with 13 digs for Iowa Central (27-7 overall, 11-0 in league), who has won seven straight and is 12-0 inside Hodges Fieldhouse this year.

“There is just so much we get out of a match like this,” Horn said. “It prepares us for what we will see down the road, gives us a better chance at making nationals and positions us for regionals.”

Anabel Seaman passed out 43 assists and had two service aces, Devon Rodewald recorded four aces and had 11 digs, Addi Hindt had a kill with seven block assists and Dena Robb had four kills with eight block assists.

Horn also acknowledged her coaching staff, which includes former Iowa Central standout Gabby Marker, Abbey Maue and Dee Huss.

“I have to give so much credit to my assistant coaches,” Horn said. “I lost my voice last week and was gone for a few days, but they stepped right in and I didn’t even have to worry one bit while I was gone. We have 24 girls and four coaches who trust one another and are there for each other no matter what.

“I am just so thankful for all of them.”

The Tritons have one final regular season match left, as they head to Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City on Wednesday. The regional tournament for Iowa Central will begin back here on Saturday, Nov. 1 with the finals scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 5.