PELLA — Winning all three sets by seven matches, the Central College volleyball team dispatched Buena Vista University 3-0 Wednesday night in the first American Rivers Conference match of the season.
Central (6-6, 1-0 conference) were victorious 25-14, 25-18, 25-17 against the Beavers (6-6, 0-2 conference).
"I think we've played some really good teams that have tested us and taught us lessons we needed to learn," coach
Jeanne Czipri said. "We learned them in time to start conference with the statement. I'm really excited that this team believed they could win and right from the beginning they played to win."
Adisyn Illg (junior, setter, Johnsburg, Ill.) not only led the team with 17 assists, but she also recorded five service aces. Three of those aces came in the first six points of the match.
"We know she's got a serve because no one likes to pass it in practice," Czipri said. "That's exactly how you want to start a match.
Krissa Larson (senior, outside hitter, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) paced the Dutch offense once again with 13 kills. As a team Central had 37 kills on 122 attempts with only seven errors for a hitting percentage of .262.
"We kept our errors to a minimum," Czipri said. "That helps us win. We've focused on working smarter and it's a testament to our hitters being better and our setters putting them in a position to score.
Landry Luhring (senior, libero, Grundy Center) added 26 digs and
Becca Vala (freshman, defensive specialist, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS) and
Ruth Hruska (senior, outside hitter, Brookfield, Ill., Riverside-Brookfield HS) each had 11. Hruska also had eight kills and
Rachel Pella (junior, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) had seven.
Amanda Smith (junior, setter, Tipton) also had 16 assists.
Central has three matches at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Invitational this weekend, starting with the MSOE (Wis.) on Friday night at 8 p.m.
"I love watching this group learn," Czipri said. "They're resilient and coachable and it's made it a fun season so far."
