GRINNELL — After winning seven matches in a row, the Central volleyball was clipped by Grinnell College Friday night 21-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16, 15-11.
           
Central (11-5) started strong with wins in the first and third set but Grinnell (12-5) rallied to win the last two sets for the match victory.
           
"I thought we did some really nice things against a solid team," coach Jeanne Czipri said. "We had a few kids who were a bit off tonight and had some scenarios I'd like to see us be better in, but there were still some solid moments tonight."
           
Outside hitter Gracie Pierson (senior, Lake City, Minn.) had 13 of Central's 55 kills on the night. Kaitlyn Mumm (sophomore, Waukee, Des Moines Christian HS), Leslie Snow (junior, Olivia, Minn., BOLD HS) and Landry Pacha (sophomore, Wellman, Mid-Prairie HS) each had eight. Avery Rexroat (junior, Macomb, Ill.) paced the team with 26 assists while Makayla Ribble (junior, Iowa City had 22.
           
Ribble and Rexroat each had a pair of service aces. Pierson had a team-high 24 digs, libero Colleen Kenney (junior, Taylor Ridge, Ill., Rock Island Alleman HS) had 23. Mumm had six blocks.
           
"It is always a dogfight against Grinnell," Czipri said. "We are grateful for the challenge leading into conference play next week."
           
Central travels to River Forest, Illinois Saturday for a triangular with Concordia University – Chicago (Ill.) and Lawrence University (Kan.) starting at 2 p.m.