INDIANOLA — Trailing by a set twice, the Central College volleyball team rallied to beat Simpson College 12-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 15-9 Tuesday night.
Central (1-1, 1-1 American Rivers Conference) struggled in the first set offensively but ended up with 75 kills compared to 61 for Simpson.
"Obviously, things started off pretty poorly with our serve receive and our attacking errors in the first set," coach
Jeanne Czipri said. "Bouncing back from a performance like that is massive challenge mentally and emotionally. We responded with a constantly increasing confidence, intensity and focus, all things we have been trying to improve."
Kayleigh Fite (senior, middle hitter, Florissant, Mo., Trinity Catholic) and outside hitter
Krissa Larson (junior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) tied for a team-high 14 kills and outside hitter
Natalie Gaszynski (sophomore, Huntley, Ill.) added 12 more.
"Krissa is starting to become a more reliable hitter who is hitting different shots off different sets," Czipri said. "It was good to see Natalie find a groove tonight."
Fite had a double-double with an additional 14 digs.
"She started slow but really started to heat up," Czipri said. "To play six rotations in her position doesn't come easy and really takes a lot of work. Her getting a double-double was very well deserved."
Landry Luhring (junior, Grundy Center HS) had a team-high 33 digs.
"Landry started to make the adjustments we have been on her about," Czipri said. "It certainly paid off big time."
Setter
Amanda Smith (sophomore, Tipton) got her first start after joining the team from basketball and recorded a double-double with 45 assists and 14 digs.
Hallie Uhlig (junior, middle hitter, Colorado Springs, Colo., Palmer Ridge HS) had a team-high four blocks with Fite and middle hitter
Elyse Johnson (freshman, Kirksville, Mo.) recorded three apiece.
Central makes its home debut Friday night at 5:30 p.m. against Wartburg College.
