DECORAH —Facing one of the Iowa Conference co-leaders on the road for the second straight day, Central College got a statistical double-double from junior outside hitter Mollie Mason (Iowa City, West HS) but was held off by Luther College 25-23, 25-21, 27-25.

Mason had 11 kills and 11 digs for Central (12-13 overall, 4-4 conference) in its league season finale. Middle hitter Hana Edgerton (freshman, Grundy Center) added seven kills on a career-high .583 hitting percentage but Luther (21-6 overall, 6-1 conference) held onto its share of first place, tied with Wartburg, which defeated Central Friday night at Waverly.

Setters Regan Nelson (junior, Pella)and Chapel Carter (sophomore, Colorado Springs, Coronado)quarterbacked the Dutch offense with 25 assists--13 and 12 respectively. Libero Nicole Ewoldt (senior, Hull, Boyden-Hull) collected a team-high 20 digs.

"Today was another frustrating match for us," said coach Kent Clayberg. "We dominated some parts of sets, but couldn't finish."

Next up for Central is a triangular at Augustana College (Ill.) tournament next Saturday in Rock Island, Ill. The Dutch meet Augustana (22-6 overall) for the second time in two weeks at noon, before taking on Iowa Wesleyan (6-19 overall) at 2 p.m. Central surprised Augustana 25-19, 29-27, 25-23 at Platteville,Wis. Oct. 15.

Then it's the six-team league tournament Nov. 4-5 at the U.S.Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. Pairings have not yet been determined but Central is assured of a spot. The Dutch are tied for fifth in the conference with Buena Vista, but could move into a three-way tie for fourth if Nebraska Wesleyan (4-3) drops its match at Simpson College (1-6) Tuesday.

According to Clayberg, he has a competitive tournament team. 

"I feel like we are a dangerous team that can compete with anyone in our conference," he said.