Conference season opens with Central volleyball victory
PELLA — In the opening match of the American Rivers Conference schedule, the Central College volleyball team got the best of Simpson College in a 3-2 match Wednesday night.
In the 79th meeting between the rivals, the raucous crowd got behind the Dutch (9-3, 1-0 conference) as they beat the Storm (4-5, 0-1 conference) for the third time in four years.
“It was exciting to have the crowd here,” coach Jeanne Czipri said. “Initially, you could see our adrenaline was pumping because we were taking some big risks. We figured out how to play with all that noise and keep our composure.”
Simpson took two of the first three sets 25-23, 21-25, 25-19 before Central rallied for 25-17, 17-15 wins in the final sets. The only difference in the lineup was the coaching staff inserting outside hitter Kristin Fick (senior North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora) into the rotation for the final two sets. She responded with six kills in nine swings.
“Simpson had dialed in on getting (starter Natalie Gasynzki {freshman, Huntley, Ill.}) out of her game,” Czipri said. “Kristin is one of our most resilient players. She showed up and made some big plays in big moments.”
On 29 attempts, outside hitter Krissa Larson (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) had 15 kills to pace the team.
“She’s been working on getting into her rhythm,” Czipri said. “I think she’s going to be somebody that is going to peak at the right time but this was a good time to get hot.”
Setter Amanda Smith (freshman, Tipton) had a double-double with 23 assists and 13 digs. Middle hitter Kayleigh Fite (senior, St. Louis, Mo., Trinity Catholic HS) led the team with four blocks and four service aces.
The Dutch remain at home for a tournament this Friday and Saturday. It starts with a 7 p.m. match against MacMurray College (Ill.) on Friday in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
For Saturday’s 3 p.m. match against Concordia University – Chicago (Ill.), Central’s national championship teams from 1998, 1999 and 2000 will be recognized prior to the match.
“We’re excited to have all of our alumni back,” Czipri said. “Hopefully, we can show them what we did tonight. I think they’ll be excited to see Central on the rise.”
