Ranked Iowa Central sweep Spartans

The seventh-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team met some resistance in a closely-contested first set, but went on to sweep Southwestern in a league match Wednesday night.

Iowa Central came in riding a six-match winning streak at 19-6 overall with a share of the ICCAC lead with fourth-ranked Kirkwood. The Tritons improved to 8-0 in the conference in taking three from the Spartans, 25-20, 25-15, 25-13.

Southwestern fell to 0-8 in league matches and 3-27 overall.

Yet, it was the Spartans holding a 12-9 lead through the early action. After an 18-18 deadlock, the Tritons outscored the Spartans 7-2 down the stretch.

Southwestern coach Brianna Maitlen said finishing a close set against a quality opponent has been a struggle this season.

“Once we get into the 20s in a set like that, we start to play like, ‘that’s enough.’ I honestly think they aren’t as comfortable playing with a lead as playing from behind, so we self-sabotage,” Maitlen said. “I tell them not to look at the scoreboard when they’re playing. We can’t be afraid to finish the way we had been playing to get the lead.”

The Spartans had a scare in set two when sophomore Cadence Perkins of Bedford, one of the team’s two primary setters, left with a painful elbow injury. Outside hitter Danica Chamberlain of Waterloo was pressed into action to temporarily set for the Spartan attack when Savanna Marriott rotated out of the lineup.

Perkins return later in the set, but Iowa Central led from start to finish in the 25-15 win.

“Cadence had Tommy John surgery in the off-season and she landed on that hand in catching herself,” Maitlen said. “I don’t know if she pinched a nerve or what, but it stung a little and her hand was numb, so I think it scared her a little. We don’t tend to play well when we throw in a different rotation, but I give Danica credit for coming in a tough spot and setting for us.”

Southwestern fell behind again in set three 8-2, but after a timeout rallied to close the gap to two points at 12-10. Iowa Central’s formidable front line attack made the difference in finishing the 25-13 win.

“I told them I was proud of how they turned it around and battled back after the timeout, because we haven’t always been able to do that,” Maitlen said.

Sophomore Skyelar Lawal led the Spartans with eight kills. Sophie Rahe had 12 digs. Maddie Richter provided five kills and six digs.

Southwestern gets an extended break for the first time this season with no action until Friday at Highland Community College in Kansas.

ICCC 3, SWCC 0

Kills — SWCC: Skyelar Lawal 8, Maddie Richter 5, Addison Martin 2. ICCC: Shirley Monaghan 8, Cooper Griffin 6, Dena Robb 6, Talya Sampson 5.

Assists — SWCC: Cadence Perkins 8, Savanna Marriott 10, Danica Chamberlain 1. ICCC: Anabel Seaman 16, Ava Paige 7.

Service aces — SWCC: Perkins 1. ICCC: Seaman 3, Paige 2.

Digs — SWCC: Sophie Rahe 12, Emma Follman 7, Richter 6, Savanna Marriott 5, Perkins 4. ICCC: Sampson 8, Monaghan 8, Seaman 8, Meah McCaleb 7.

Blocks — SWCC: Lawal 3. ICCC: Addi Hindt 3, Sampson 2, Robb 2.