STORM LAKE — Ending a nine-game winning streak, the Central College volleyball team was swept at Buena Vista University Thursday night 25-20, 25-18, 25-19.
           
The defeat was the first for Central (12-4, 1-1 American Rivers Conference) since September 7.
           
As a team, Central struggled on the attack with a .123 hitting percentage, especially in the first set when they had 10 kills but nine errors on 39 attempts.
           
"Kudos to Buena Vista for playing as well as they did," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "We knew they were doing some things that would challenge us, but we didn't exactly get into a rhythm or execute our action plan the way we needed to."
           
Outside hitter Krissa Larson (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) and right-side hitter Erin Dilger (senior, Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln Way North HS) each had eight kills to pace the team.
           
Libero Landry Luhring (sophomore, Grundy Center) had a team-high 11 digs. Setter Alyssa Lewton (sophomore, Ankeny, Centennial HS) had 17 assists.
           
"I was hoping to see us respond with more fight and toughness in our play, especially with it being a conference match," Czipri said.
           
Central has a pair of matches at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invitational Saturday against Johnson & Wales University (Colo.) and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.
           
"While a loss never feels good, we are embracing this a great moment for us to learn some lessons," Czipri said. "We got some information on us and now we'll take it back to the drawing board and practice floor."