CEDAR RAPIDS - The second-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team is just a few short months removed from placing third at the NJCAA Div. II Championships.

Now, the Tritons are set to embark on another run towards the first national title in program history beginning here Thursday at the Alliant PowerHouse Energy Arena. 

Iowa Central, the No. 2 seed, will face 15-seed Mott in the opening round at 11 a.m. The winner advances to play either Scottsdale or Heartland at 5:30 p.m. that night in the quarterfinals. 

With several returning regulars, including two-time ICCAC player of the year Alesha Johnson and all-tournament selection Katilyn Steffes, the Tritons (40-1 overall) have been able to remain focused since winning the Region XI-A title several weeks ago.

"The players have done a really great job these last two weeks in their national tournament prep," Iowa Central head coach Sara Horn said. "Eighteen days off is a long break, so we had to be pretty strategic with rest, pushing hard, skill work, opponent preparation and scrimmaging to keep their focus on the right things.

"We had a week jump start on almost every other team, so that has really enabled us to prep for multiple teams we were likely to play. This team enjoys a mental challenge as well as a physical one, so we've been really happy with the work they've put in."

In the spring, Iowa Central advanced to the semifinals for the first time, placing third. They have gone 62-5 since the start of 2021 and are 95-11 in the past three seasons.

Johnson, Steffes, Angel Baylark, Molly McCauley, Bailey Dugan, Baylyn Johnson and Haley Alharithy were all in the rotation a year ago. Steffes leads the team with 443 kills followed by Baylark (324) and freshman Brooke Dobson (323). 

"I know the players are getting really excited (for nationals)," Horn said. "This is such a fun week filled with team bonding, competition and a whole lot of volleyball. There's a lot of prep and planning that goes into a multi-day trip like this, and the returners from last season have done a great job of keeping the news players informed with what to expect and what to pack.

"Our season started over three months ago, and this is the best way to end what has been the best season in program history. I'm excited to see what we do on the court this week."

-By Dana Becker