CHICAGO, ILL.—Despite absorbing a pair of 3-1 losses at the Gargoyle Classic Friday, Central College volleyball coach Jeanne Czipri is enthused by what she saw from her young squad.
           
The Dutch fell 25-20, 23-25, 14-25, 24-26 against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Ind.) in the opener and Albion College (Mich.) 25-18, 12-25, 13-25, 23-25 in the second contest.
           
"Out of eight sets, we played great competitive volleyball in five," Czipri said. "We have a lot of new faces on the floor and new positions being played, so working through those tougher sets is a great challenge for us."
           
One of those new faces is freshman outside hitter Krissa Larson (Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) who tallied 31 kills, including 18 against Rose-Hulman. She had a hitting percentage of .421 (31-7-57) and added five digs and a block.
           
"She started her collegiate career with a great start," Czipri said.
           
Setter Chapel Carter (Colorado Springs, Colo., Coronado) added 38 assists and 10 digs in the defeat against Rose-Hulman.
           
"Chapel is commanding the floor well," Czipiri said.
           
Junior transfer Tori Van Velzen (Cumming, Norwalk HS) and senior Hana Edgerton (Grundy Center) had 11 kills apiece.
           
The third and final match of the tournament hosted by the University of Chicago is set to start at noon against Kalamazoo College (Mich.).
           
"We have a lot to clean up fundamentally and systematically," Czipri said. "We are really excited about the energy and eagerness to learn this group has. Just continuing to determine which lineup on the court has the best chemistry is a major focus right now."