ROCK ISLAND, ILL.— In its first action of the fall, the Central College volleyball dropped a pair of 3-0 matches against Augustana College and Cornell College Wednesday night.
           
The Vikings beat the Dutch 25-23, 25-13, 26-24 and the Rams were victorious 25-17, 25-13, 25-19 over Central.
           
"We knew both of these teams would be great tests for us out of the gate," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "We didn't rise to that test today."
           
Outside hitter Krissa Larson (senior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) led the team in kills for both matches, notching six against Cornell and five against Augustana. Natalie Gaszynski (junior, Huntley, Ill.) had eight between the two matches, including six against Cornell.
           
Setters Amanda Smith (junior, Tipton) and Adisyn Illg (junior, Johnsburg, Ill.) had 20 and 16 assists, respectively.
           
Landry Luhring (senior, Grundy Center) had 14 digs from her libero spot. Lauren Brown (sophomore, middle hitter, Underwood) and Larson each had two blocks.
           
"We are excited about the potential this group has," Czipri said. "We have talent in every position and have players that want to see this team do bigger things this year."
           
Central is the co-host of an Invitational this weekend with Grinnell College this weekend and the first match for the Dutch is Friday at 8 p.m. against the University of Minnesota – Morris at 8 p.m. in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
           
"We have one day to work through some kinks and get better for our home openers," Czipri said." We are eager to get back to the drawing board."