INDIANOLA—The first American Rivers Conference volleyball match of the season did not go as desired for Central College, getting swept by Simpson College 25-21, 25-8, 25-21.
           
The loss drops Central to 3-5 (0-1 conference) and makes Simpson 4-6 (1-0 conference).
            
"Tonight, we took a lot of steps backwards," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "We are disappointed with our performance. We struggled a great deal with our first contact, which prohibits us from running an effective offense. We need to execute better across the board.'
           
Statistically, Melissa Miller (senior, right-side hitter, Williamsburg) led the team with six kills (6-2-11—.364).
           
"She came off the bench and played with a lot of motivation," Czipri said.
           
Freshman Landry Luhring (outside hitter, Grundy Center) led the team with seven digs and setter Chapel Carter (senior, Colorado Springs, Colo., Coronado HS) paced the Dutch with 16 assists.
           
Getting her first varsity action of the season, sophomore defensive specialist DaLana Kron (West Branch), was cited by Czipri for making a big impact in the third season.
           
Central will play in a tournament for third weekend in a row, venturing to Ripon, Wisconsin for the Red Hawks invitational hosted by Ripon College. Central opens the two-day tournament with matches against Lawrence University (Wis.) and Wisconsin Lutheran College on Friday night at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
            
"We need to take this and get into an 'attack and go get it mindset' rather than expecting it to just happen," Czipri said. "There are a lot of lessons being learned early."