Photo courtesy of Iowa Central: Dani Anela Kapu of Iowa Central concentrates on the ball during a match at the NJCAA national volleyball tournament in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday.

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Iowa Central volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss here Wednesday at the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament to Johnson County.

Scores were 25-17, 12-25, 15-25, 25-19 and 15-13.

With the loss, the seventh-ranked Tritons (29-9 overall) will return to the court on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

Talya Sampson recorded a match-high 22 kills for Iowa Central on Wednesday, with former Manson Northwest Webster standout Emily Goodner adding 14. Olivia Sturgis (MNW) and Brooke Lensing each contributed eight, while Ava Anderson chipped in six.

Triton Anabel Seaman had 29 assists, Dani Anela Kapu recorded 27 assists and Olivia Benson had 24 digs.

For 10th-ranked Johnson County, Tori Valentine had 15 kills and Kennedy Smalley 10.

Iowa Central has reached the national tournament five times since 2020, placing in the Top-7 each year.