NAPERVILLE, ILL.— A shortage of offensive production by the Central College volleyball team was key to the Dutch losing to North Central College (Ill.) and Bethel University (Minn.) Friday in a triangular hosted by North Central.
           
The Dutch (10-13 overall) did take one set against the Cardinals (3-16) but were defeated 25-23, 25-15, 18-25, 25-19 in the first game of the day. The Royals (20-4) swept Central (25-15, 25-20, 25-21).
           
In the opener, Central had 45 kills compared to 39 for North Central. It was the 32 Dutch attacking errors against 19 for the Cardinals that created many of the issues.
           
"That match should have been more evenly matched, but we gave away too many points with unforced attacking and serving errors," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "We struggled to get our offense going and missed some defensive plays that should have been easy with discipline.
           
Outside hitter Krissa Larson (freshman, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) and right-side hitter Erin Dilger (junior, Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln Way North HS) provided the brightest spots offensively for Central. Larson had 10 kills, while Dilger was efficient with four kills on 12 attempts.
           
"Krissa and Erin helped offensively, but we needed a lot more across the board to take them down," Czipri said.
           
Melissa Miller (senior, right-side hitter, Williamsburg) and Dilger had eight and six kills respectively against Bethel, recording half of the team's kills for the match.
           
"Melissa and Erin kept us in the game, but we needed more output from the outside hitters to pull out that win," Czipri said.
"Bethel is an extremely balanced and efficient team. After the first set, we started to control our serve and pass better, which helped us defensively."
           
Setter Chapel Carter (senior, Colorado Springs, Coronado HS) had a combined 38 assists in the two matches. Outside hitter Landry Luhring (freshman, Grundy Center) tallied 30 digs in the two contests.
           
Central has another triangular at Lakeland University (Wis.) on Saturday against the Muskies and Finlandia University (Mich.). The matches will start at 4 p.m. in Plymouth, Wisconsin.