CEDAR RAPIDS - The top-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team knocked off the defending national champions and downed the No. 2 team in the country in back-to-back matches here Friday afternoon.

After taking care of Johnson County, 3-1, the Tritons clipped Parkland for the second consecutive time in a five-setter.

This past spring, Johnson County won the NJCAA Div. II national championship over Parkland. Last week at the Iowa Central Tournament, the Tritons swept Parkland. 

"On paper, this was the toughest week we have with matches against No. 2, No. 5 and No. 11," Iowa Central head coach Sara Horn said. "Having last year's national champion and national runner-up in back-to-back matches was a huge challenge.

"It was phenomenal seeing our players come together, not give up when things weren't going perfectly and everyone stepping up and doing what they could to help the team win. It was definitely a total team effort to get these two wins and we are super proud of the girls."

Katilyn Steffes had 18 kills and 11 digs vs. Johnson County, with Jori Hajek and Angel Baylark each adding eight kills. Hajek also had 22 digs and Alesha Johnson recorded 35 assists. 

Brooke Dobson chipped in seven kills and Haley Alharithy six with five total blocks. Baylyn Johnson had 18 digs and Bailey Dugan 11.

After falling behind 2-0 to the Cobras, the Tritons (15-0 overall) won the next three sets, including a 16-14 fifth and deciding one. 

Dobson finished with 20 kills, Steffes 15 and Hajek 10. Baylyn Johnson had 30 digs, Alesha Johnson 47 assists with 13 digs, Baylark nine kills and Steffes 23 digs. 

Iowa Central returns to ICCAC play on Wednesday when they travel to Waterloo to face Hawkeye.

-By Dana Becker