DECATUR, ILLINOIS — Friday's volleyball match between Central College and Greenville University (Ill.)was statistically even in nearly every way except the final score as the Dutch lost 27-25, 25-18, 25-22.
           
The Panthers (5-1) only had a slight advantage over the Dutch (4-5) in kills (42-40), attack percentage (.203-.193) and service aces (3-2).
           
"Looking at the stats, either team could have won," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "Knowing what we could have done better, we were disappointed"
           
Freshman Gracie Pierson (outside hitter, Lake City, Minn.) had a team-high 10 kills on 23 attempts. Natalie Gaszynski (junior, outside hitter, Huntley, Ill.)  and Krissa Larson (senior, outside hitter, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) each added seven.                                                                                                  
           
Rachel Pella (junior, middle hitter, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) assisted on five blocks. Landry Luhring (senior, libero, Grundy Center) had 19 digs. Amanda Smith (junior, Tipton) had 18 assists and Adisyn Illg (junior, Johnsburg, Ill) had 12.
           
Central plays two more matches tomorrow at the Millikin Invitational, starting with Webster University (Mo.) at noon and finishing with Millikin University (Ill.) at 2 p.m.
           
"We have a great group that is learning a lot each day," Czipri said. "We have to be better not just playing how we always play, but also in making adjustments to how we play in order to compete against different styles of play and to win matches."