Dutch fall below .500 in conference play
Central College
WAVERLY — The Central College volleyball team fell in straight sets Tuesday and don’t have to look any further than its sub .100 hitting percentage to see why.
Central, now 10-7 overall and 1-2 in the Iowa Conference, hit a miniscule .057 in the 25-13, 25-21, 25-9 loss to Wartburg.
This is only the second time this season the Dutch have hit below .100, the other coming in a straight set loss to Dubuque.
“We started the night uptight from the start,” coach Kent Clayberg said. “When we can’t find a rhythm early, we struggle.”
Clayberg knows the weaknesses of his team.
“We aren’t a team right now that can generate offense when our defense is playing tight,” he said. “We got on our heels in the first set and could never recover.”
Sophomore outside hitter Mollie Mason (Iowa City/West HS) led the Dutch with six kills and added 11 digs after missing the last four games with an illness.
Mason is not the only Central player dealing with an ailment.
“We are still feeling the effects of an illness that made its way around our team last week,” said Clayberg. “We aren’t at full strength and its hurt us the past few games.”
Sophomore middle hitters Jenna Dille (Carlisle) and Emily McDonald (Orange City/MOC-Floyd Valley HS) both notched five kills. Freshman setter Madison Egger (Lincoln, Neb./Southwest HS) tallied 11 assists and sophomore defensive specialist Tara Tralewski (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley HS) had 17 digs.
Clayberg is confident his team will find its winning stride.
“This team is capable of so much more and they know that,” he said. “We are going through some bumps in the road right now, but we will work through some things at practice and be just fine.”
Central will have a few days to get healthy before the Blackburn (Ill.) Triangular Friday in Carlinville, Ill. The Dutch will face Iowa Wesleyan at 3 p.m. followed by a tilt with host Blackburn (Ill.) at 5 p.m. Central knocked off Iowa Wesleyan in four sets Sept. 9 in Pella.
“This weekend we fill face two programs that will compete the entire match,” Clayberg said. “Hopefully we can find a rhythm in our offense and put ourselves in good positions to win.”
