PLATTEVILLE, WIS. — Central College volleyball team defeated a 20-win Augustana College (Ill.) to cap off a two-win day at the Wis.-Platteville tournament Saturday.
Central defeated Augustana (20-6 overall) 25-19, 29-27, 25-23 as well as Northland College (Wis.) 23-25, 25-12, 25-11, 25-17.
Central (12-11 overall) fell to Carthage College (Wis.) (13-8 overall) 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-16 late Friday night.
Central was led by outside hitter Kylie Gerstein (junior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) with nine kills. She added 13 digs. Outside hitter Mollie Mason (junior, Iowa City, West HS) and right-side hitter Melisa Miller (sophomore, Williamsburg) had eight kills apiece. Setter Chapel Carter (sophomore, Colorado Springs, Coronado HS)assisted on 22 kills with six digs. Libero Nicole Ewoldt (senior, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) contributed 17 digs.
Central's defense was a critical piece to the victory over Augustana (20-6 overall), according to Clayberg.
"Our defense was fantastic tonight," he said. "Our women responded very well from last night's matches."
Augustana was a solid win for the Dutch according to Clayberg.
"Augustana had just been involved in a five set match with a top-25 team and had them on the ropes," he said. "Defeating them was great for our women."
The Dutch were led by Miller against Northland (2-19 overall) with nine kills on 18 attacks. Mason added eight kills and 10 digs. Ewoldt solidified the defense with 17 digs.
"After a rough first set our team responded and won handily the next three sets," said coach Kent Clayberg.
Central returns to Iowa Conference play Friday in Waverly against Wartburg College at 7:30 p.m. Wartburg is receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Top 25. Saturday, Central travels to Decorah for a matchup with first-place Luther College at 11 a.m.
