Tritons plan on remaining a national contender

Regardless of who returns to or who joins the program, under head coach Sara Horn, the Iowa Central volleyball team expects to be competing for ICCAC titles and trips to the national tournament.

That remains the same this season, as the Tritons return four key players and welcome in several strong freshmen to the program.

Sophomore Meah McCaleb, a former Fort Dodge Senior High multi-sport standout, is joined by classmates Cooper Griffin, Devon Rodewald and Kalyn Mills as important pieces back from a ninth-place finish at the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament in 2026. The Tritons also captured the ICCAC regular season championship and a regional title.

Iowa Central has qualified for nationals in each of the past six years, winning at least a share of five conference titles during that span. Since 2011, the Tritons have reached the national tourney seven times, won six outright ICCAC crowns and claimed six regional championships.

"We've had a great first week of preseason, ending it with our intra-squad scrimmage," Horn said. "The girls have been working really hard and showing they're ready to compete to be one of the best teams in the country.

"Our sophomore leadership is strong, and our ball handling will be a big strength of ours. We're excited to see how this solid freshmen class develops. It's been a fun preseason so far."

McCaleb finished a productive freshman campaign a year ago with 643 digs, 87 assists and 40 aces in 40 matches. Griffin tallied 275 kills, 73 blocks and 62 digs, Rodewald had 238 digs, 49 aces and 17 assists, and Mills picked up 144 digs with 13 aces.

"Meah, Devon and Kalyn lead a really strong group of defensive specialists," Horn said. "Our first contact is going to be the best in the conference. The battle for our pin hitter spots has been an exciting one, with Cooper leading the way.

“We have a lot of different lineup options, and I think you'll see us use a good number of options for attackers."

Along with McCaleb, Alivia Goodell of Humboldt and Emerson Ludwig from East Sac County are area athletes on the roster for the Tritons. Both are freshmen.

Annie Elbert, Abby Jensen, Rylyn McCarty, Madison Rogers, Kampbell Bryte and Grace Farnsworth are key newcomers standing out early for Iowa Central.

Iowa Central opens play Thursday in Rockford, Ill. with four matches against Muskegon, St. Johns River State, defending national champion Heartland and Moraine Valley at the Opening Weekend Tournament. They begin ICCAC play on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Ellsworth and debut at home on Wednesday, Sept. 2, vs. Northwest Iowa for another conference match.

The Tritons begin the season ranked 10th in the nation. Kirkwood is No. 5 and DMACC checks in at 16th.

Heartland is No. 1 followed by Cowley County, Gulf Coast State and Kansas City-Kansas.

Horn will be assisted once again by Gabby Marker, Abbey Maue and Dee Huss.

2026 IOWA CENTRAL VOLLEYBALL

Roster

Sophomores – Viviana Orenday, Sioux Central; Meah McCaleb, Fort Dodge; Cooper Griffin, Missouri; Devon Rodewald, Kansas; Braelynn Morgan, Gladbrook-Reinbeck; Kalyn Mills, Dallas Center-Grimes; Amelia Powers, Denver; Meya Wingert, Tri-Center; Addie Law, River Valley; Genna LeMay, Nebraska.

Freshmen – Madison Rogers, Marshalltown; Abby Jensen, Dike-New Hartford; Isolde Pfremmer, Cedar Rapids Washington; Koye Jaeger, Monticello; Amanda Wardell, Carroll; Grace Farnsworth, BCLUW; Mykala Luzum, Lisbon; Alivia Goodell, Humboldt; Kampbell Bryte, Dubuque Hempstead; Clara Newton, Gilbert; Annie Elbert, Dubuque Wahlert; Alicen Hughes, Kansas; Brihanna Hill, West Monona; Rylyn McCarty, Knoxville; Emerson Ludwig, East Sac County; Naima Makachia, Missouri; Nyne Last, Netherlands; Jessica Lillig, Southeast Warren.

Schedule

Aug. 20 – vs. Muskegon, St. Johns River State at OWT in Rockford, Ill.; 21 – vs. Heartland, Moraine Valley at OWT in Rockford, Ill.; 26 – at Ellsworth; 28 – vs. North Dakota SCS, Lake Region State at NIACC Invitational.

Sept. 2 – Northwest Iowa; 3 – Mesa; 4 – Allen County, Cowley County; 5 – Madison College; 8 – at Hawkeye; 10 – NIACC; 16 – Southeastern; 18 – vs. Labette, Kansas City-Kansas at KCKCC Tournament in Kansas City, Kan.; 19 – vs. Fort Scott, Cowley County at KCKCC Tournament in Kansas City, Kan.; 23 – at Central; 25 – vs. Metropolitan, Neosho County at DMACC Invitational in Boone; 26 – vs. Highland at DMACC Invitational in Boone; 29 – Iowa Lakes.

Oct. 1 – at Marshalltown; 5 – Minnesota West; 7 – Northeast; 14 – at DMACC; 16 – Kansas City-Kansas, Lincoln Land; 17 – Metropolitan; 20 – Southwestern; 22 – at Kirkwood; 27 – Western Iowa Tech.