INDIANOLA—The Central College volleyball team rallied after losing the first two sets but ultimately lost to Simpson College 25-23, 25-9, 13-25, 23-25, 16-14 Wednesday night.
           
The Dutch (15-5, 2-2 American Rivers Conference) hit just .050 (46-37-179) on the night. Central led Simpson 20-12 in the opening set before the Storm (6-15, 2-2 conference) went on a 13-3 run to win it.
"Tonight was a tough night," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "We struggled to close when we were up and our pins had a hard time finding their grove tonight."
           
Central's middle hitters Elyse Johnson (senior, Kirksville, Mo.) and Emma Wagler (junior, Des Moines, Roosevelt HS) led the way with 10 and nine kills, respectively. Johnson hit .471 (10-2-19) and Wagler hit .280 (9-2-25). Johnson also had three solo blocks and assisted on two more.
           
"Getting our middles going was really what kept us in it tonight," Czipri said.
           
Setter Avery Rexroat (sophomore, Macomb, Ill.) had 37 set assists and libero Colleen Kenney (sophomore, Taylor Ridge, Ill., Rock Island Alleman HS) had 24 digs. Rexroat had another double-double by adding 12 digs.
           
"Hopefully we take this opportunity to learn and grow," Czipri said. "We can't let this weight heavy on us moving forward."
           
Central has matches in Minnesota this weekend, starting with a 7 p.m. match at Hamline University on Friday night.