PELLA — Opening its 2024 season with a pair of matches at its home tournament Friday, the Central College volleyball team lost to Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) in three sets before sweeping the College of St. Scholastica (Minn.).
           
The Dutch (1-1) struggled to find their offense in the opener, with just 30 kills against 27 attack errors (.025 percentage). In the second-match victory, Central put down 40 kills with a .274 hitting percentage.
           
"The biggest takeaway from today is how we responded to that first match," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "I'm proud of the changes the team made to try and get better."
           
In the win, Paige Sexton (sophomore, Sheridan, Ill., Serena HS) and Landry Pacha (sophomore, Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) led the way with 10 and nine kills, respectively. Gracie Pierson (senior, Lake City, Minn.) also had eight.
           
"Our pins were fantastic today, especially in that second match," Czipri said.
           
Libero Colleen Kenney (junior, Taylor Ridge, Ill., Rock Island Alleman HS) had 18 digs to go with her five service aces against the Saints. Avery Rexroat (junior, Macomb, Ill.) had a team-high 20 assists.
           
"Colleen was her usual scrappy defensive self," Czipri said.
           
Central has two more matches tomorrow at the Central-Grinnell Invitational, starting with a noon contest against Fontbonne University (Mo.).