Dutch volleyball team finishes unbeaten at Monmouth tournament

MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS – Wrapping up its appearance at the Monmouth College Tournament Saturday, the Central College volleyball team swept Knox College (Ill.) (25-14, 25-15, 25-11) before needing four sets to take down Westminster College (Mo.) 25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-14.

The Dutch (8-4) had three players with double figure kills against the Blue Jays. Paige Sexton (sophomore, Sheridan, Ill., Serena HS) led the team with 11 while Kaitlyn Koel (freshman, Sioux Falls, S.D., Lincoln HS and Gracie Pierson (senior, Lake City, Minn.) each had 10.

“Our distribution and the variety of production in our offense in the last match is exactly what I’m looking for from this group,” coach Jeanne Czipri said.

Sexton notched a double-double by adding 10 digs. Collen Kenney (sophomore, Taylor Ridge, Ill., Rock Island Alleman HS) led the team with 17 digs in each match.

Avery Rexroat (junior, Macomb, Ill.) had 30 set assists against Westminster and 10 against Knox. Makayla Ribble (junior, Iowa City) had 20 in the Westminster match and 12 against Knox.

“Our setters decision-making and play calling really improved as the day went on,” Czipri said.

Kenney led the way with four service aces against Knox and Pierson had three against Westminster.

Central had eight blocks against the Blue Jays, including four solos from Landry Pacha (sophomore, Wellman, Mid-Prairie HS).

The Dutch travel to La Crosse, Wisconsin next weekend for three matches at the Wis. – La Crosse Invitational.

“We still have a lot of to clean up and work on,” Czipri said. “But I’m happy with the weekend and the progress we made.”