Photo courtesy of Iowa Central: Brooke Lensing of Iowa Central spikes the ball during the NJCAA national tournament in Cedar Rapids.

CEDAR RAPIDS — The seventh-ranked Iowa Central volleyball team picked up their first win at nationals here Thursday to stay in the running for as high as third place.

The Tritons scored a four-set victory over Mesa, moving into the consolation third round at 11 a.m. where they will face loser of Cowley County vs. Illinois Central, who met in the quarterfinals.

Olivia Sturgis and Araya Garrison each had 16 kills with Talya Sampson adding nine and Brooke Lensing eight. Emily Goodner chipped in seven kills as Iowa Central (30-8) won in four.

Scores were 25-20, 18-25, 27-25 and 25-20.

Dani Anela Kapu and Anabel Seaman ran the offense to perfection, as Kapu had 24 assists and Seaman 23. Olivia Benson recorded 19 digs, Sampson had 14, Natalie Hagadon added 13, Kapu finished with 12 and Seaman chipped in 11.

Sturgis had six blocks assists and a solo block with Goodner adding three block assists. Seaman had four of the eight serving aces on the day.

“This tournament is a battle and our girls definitely showed some fight,” ICCC head coach Sara Horn said. “(On Thursday) our pins had to step up big and we needed our middles to step up big. We put them in tough situations, and they continued to find kills throughout the whole match.

“We’re very proud of this team’s fight and refusal to give up.”

For Mesa (21-13), Isa Folau had 11 kills and Izabel Wagner 10.

During the regular season, Iowa Central went 1-1 against No. 14 Illinois Central and lost its only meeting with top-ranked Cowley County.