For the first time in program history, the Iowa Central volleyball team had three played named All-American by the NJCAA.
Alesha Johnson and Angel Baylark made the first team for the Tritons, with Katilyn Steffes on the second.
"We were really happy when we saw the All-American release and we had three players earn All-American," Iowa Central head coach Sara Horn said. "Alesha, Angel and Katilyn have been our statistical leaders all year long, and have been among the best in the country at their respective positions. It was impossible for us as coaches to figure out which of the three 'most deserved' postseason awards because they each do their job especially well and we ask them each to do such different things.
"I am beyond happy that the committee recognized how talented each of them are and agreed that all three deserved to be recognized. We are really, really proud of what they accomplished and what they helped this team accomplish this season."
Iowa Central finished fourth at nationals in the fall, adding to a third place finish from the spring. Johnson was also named an All-American during the spring season.
Johnson is just the third Triton to be named All-American twice joining Kealey Anderson and Alicia Moreno. Only Moreno made the first team twice.
"It's very surprising," Johnson said. "This year, I didn't know what to expect being on such a good team along with really good players throughout our conference and overall. It's very rewarding and I couldn't have gotten it without our coaches (assistant Gabby Sullivan and Horn) and the team.
"They pushed everyone day in and day out."
Johnson finished the season with 1,636 assists, 75 total blocks, 348 digs, 57 serving aces and 67 kills. She was second in the country in assists.
"The setter position is such a subjective position, but what Alesha does on the court and for her team is really easy for other coaches to see and appreciate," Horn said. "She's such a consistent, level-headed player, and that is what you need in your offensive leader. She is athletic and highly skilled, but I think what sets her apart from other setters is her ability to analyze the game, be creative in putting each of her hitters in good positions to score, and being able to read the opponent's defense and pick out their weak spots.
"Having Alesha lead this offense for the last three years has been amazing for us as coaches, but we are excited to see her move on to the next level and take her talents there."
Baylark had 368 kills with 167 total blocks, 30 assists and 20 digs, recording 465 points for the Tritons. She ranked fifth in total blocks in the nation.
"When people watch our team for the first time or even the 10th time, Angel is always someone who is going to stand out of the floor," Horn said. "She's such a special athlete and her charisma on the floor is really engaging for other coaches, players, and fans to watch. It has been an honor to coach and work with Angel, and I am very excited to see where her future takes her.
"Athleticism will only take you so far, especially in a ball-control sport like volleyball, and Angel has put in a lot of time, effort, and study to take her skills and knowledge of the game to another level. With COVID eligibility giving Angel another year to train and improve, I think the best is definitely yet to come for her on the floor."
In the spring, Baylark was named the ICCAC Freshman of the Year. She made the all-tournament team at nationals in the fall.
"This honor means so much to me," Baylark said. "I'm very blessed and grateful the other coaches thought I was worthy to be named an All-American."
Steffes had 510 kills to go along with 374 digs, 82 total blocks, 24 serving aces and 15 assists, scoring 577.5 points. She ranked fourth in the nation in kills and eighth in points.
"Katilyn's season, and past two seasons, have definitely been affected by sickness (COVID last season) and a longer lasting injury this season," Horn said. "Even though she had to miss about 20 percent of our matches this season due to a long-lasting injury, she was still one of the best players in the country. Katilyn is her best in big matches, and her competitive nature really helps her push through adversity and pushes her to keep improving every season.
"Katilyn is just scratching the surface with her potential. She has some serious power behind her swings, and her ability to elevate and play high above the net allows her to play at a really high level. Katilyn still has three years of college eligibility left, and I am really excited to see what she can accomplish on the volleyball court."
Steffes made the all-tournament team at nationals in the spring and was an all-conference selection this fall.
"It means a lot to be named as one of the All-Americans," Steffes said. "My team and coaches really helped me evolve my game within this past year-and-a-and and I'm super grateful for everything I've taken from here."
Haley Alharithy was named an All-American by VolleyballMag.com earlier this year.
Iowa Central has had at least one All-American player each of the past eight seasons.
Joining the Tritons from the ICCAC were Emily Strauss and Katie Kopriva of Kirkwood, and North Iowa Area's Grace Tobin. Strauss made the first, Kopriva the second and Tobin honorable mention.
-By Dana Becker