LINCOLN, NEB. — After winning the first set on the road at Nebraska Wesleyan University Thursday night, the Central College volleyball team was defeated 3-1.
The Prairie Wolves (10-4, 2-0 American Rivers Conference) were victorious over the Dutch (13-6, 1-2 conference) 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21.
The Dutch got 13 kills and .385 hitting percentage from outside hitter
Krissa Larson (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS).
Ruth Hruska-Kelly (sophomore, outside hitter, Brookfield, Ill., Riverside-Brookfield HS) and
Erin Dilger (senior, right-side hitter, Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln Way North HS) also had 10 and nine kills, respectively.
"Krissa really showed up to play tonight," coach
Jeanne Czipri said. "Ruth and Erin also were a big part of our strong offense."
In total, Central had 53 kills compared to 52 for Nebraska Wesleyan. The Dutch also had a better hitting percentage (.192) than the Prairie Wolves (.179).
In the three sets Central lost, the score changed hands eight times, including four times in the third set. The score was also tied seven times in that set and six times in the fourth set.
"We had some great moments and really took some good steps," Czipri said. "We played hard but we need to believe we should be ahead and not chasing the lead."
Libero
Landry Luhring (sophomore, Grundy Center) and outside hitter
Natalie Gaszynski (freshman, Huntley, Ill.) each had 16 digs. Middle hitter
Hana Edgerton (senior, Grundy Center) was on four blocks while Hruska-Kelly had three. Setters
Amanda Smith (freshman, Tipton) and
Alyssa Lewton (sophomore, Ankeny, Centennial HS) had 25 and 20, respectively. Gaszynski had two service aces.
"We are certainly improving as a team," Czipri said. "We are leaps and bounds better than we were a year ago and two years ago. We just have to keep working to make the moves we need to win."
Central is off until next Friday when it hosts Wartburg College for a 7:30 p.m. match inside P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
