CEDAR RAPIDS - When the Iowa Central volleyball team came together to discuss their goal, they looked to the epic climb of Mount Everest for motivation.

What that meant was taking each and every step of the 29,000 steps, including the difficult final 29 to complete the mission.

The Tritons checked that off when they topped Hawkeye for the Region XI-A title, securing a spot in the NJCAA Div. II Championships, which begin here on Tuesday. Iowa Central, the No. 3 seed, faces Carl Sandburg in the opening match at 9 a.m. 

However, since they first met several months ago, the climb to the top of Mount Everest changed.

"Knocking off that extra 29 was amazing," returning All-American Kealey Anderson said. "We made a goal at the beginning of the season to go to nationals as a team and we've met it. What's actually kinda funny is in December after we already made our team motto for the year, Mount Everest grew to 29,032. 

"So now that we've made that 29, we have to get to 32."

Anderson, a sophomore from Shenandoah, Iowa, has positioned herself on several all-time lists for Iowa Central. She is seventh on the career kills list with 844 and seventh on the total attacks mark with 2,211. 

In 61 matches, Anderson also has 747 digs, 99 total blocks and 67 serving aces.

Despite the strong run during the regular season, everything did not go easy for the Tritons. They battled injuries and illness to secure a third consecutive ICCAC regular season title.

"With everything going on this year, this is a huge accomplishment," she said. "COVID has put a lot of bumps in the road, but each time, we've come back stronger. I'm super proud to be a part of this team and can't wait to compete at nationals.

"I think the biggest thing going in is just having the confidence and knowing that we can make it far. We've been working really hard in practices and focusing on the competition ahead. As long as we play like I know we can, we're gonna be just fine."

-By Dana Becker