PELLA.— Playing before a full crowd at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium for the first time since 2019, the Central College volleyball team rode the energy to a sweep over the University of Minnesota – Morris 25-23, 25-17, 25-19 on Friday night.
           
"I am so excited and grateful for what our crowd did for us tonight," coach Jeanne Czipri  said. "The team all said how fun it was to play tonight and the fans were a big part of that."
           
The Dutch (1-2) were dominant in all three sets against the Cougars (1-2). They notched 14 kills and a .200 hitting percentage in each set.
           
Krissa Larson (senior, Outside hitter, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) led the way with 13 kills. Freshman Gracie Pierson (outside hitter, Lake City, Minn.) and junior Rachel Pella (middle hitter, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) had nine and eight kills, respectively.
           
"We ran a pretty balanced offense tonight," Czipri said. "We got good production from our middles and right-sides, so we didn't have to rely on Krissa and the outsides to score points."
           
Pella's counterpoint at middle hitter, Hallie Uhlig (senior, Colorado Springs, Colo., Palmer Ridge HS), also added four kills.
           
"They've both put in a lot of work to connect with our setters," Czipri said. "They are so hungry and they keep getting better and better."
           
Setters Amanda Smith (junior, Tipton) and Adisyn Illg (junior, Johnsburg, Ill.) had 21 and 15 assists, respectively.
           
"Our setters are learning and growing with their decision making," Czipri said.
           
Libero Landry Luhing (senior, Grundy Center) had 11 digs and defensive specialist Becca Vala (freshman, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS) had 10.
           
Central has two more matches at home Saturday, battling Wis.-Platteville at 11 a.m. and Wis.-Stout at 3 p.m.