LISLE, ILL. — The Central College volleyball team earned a split in the opening day of the IIAC/NACC Crossover Tournament hosted by Benedictine University (Ill.).
The third annual tournament consists of teams from the Iowa Conference and the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. The Dutch dropped the opening match to Aurora University (Ill.) 25-18, 25-16, 25-15; however, Central (5-8) rebounded to defeat Benedictine University (Ill.) 25-21, 24-26, 25-22, 25-14.
Against Aurora middle hitterHana Edgerton (freshman, Grundy Center) led the Dutch with a hitting percentage of .444 for five kills. Outside hitter Mollie Mason (junior, Iowa City, West HS) and middle hitter Jenna Dille (junior, Carlisle) finished with six kills apiece.
Against Benedictine liberoNicole Ewoldt (senior, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) dug up 21 attacks.
"Our defense was a huge part in allowing us to be aggressive on the offensive end," said coach Kent Clayberg.
Outside hitter Kylie Gerstein (junior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) totaled 13 kills, while adding 23 digs and four service aces. Dille continued her offensive display finishing 10 of her 23 attacks for kills. The setting tandem of Madison Egger (sophomore, Lincoln, Neb., Southwest HS) and Chapel Carter (sophomore, Colorado Springs, Colo., Coronado HS)combined for 42 assists with 23 and 19, respectively.
The Dutch resume action Saturday, at noon against Wisconsin Lutheran, and at 4 p.m. against Concordia-Chicago (Ill.).
