Central rallies past Dubuque for league volleyball win
Central College
PELLA — Finally unleashing some of the potential coach Kent Clayberg knew his Central College volleyball team had, the Dutch overcame a bumpy start for an Iowa Conference victory over the University of Dubuque 18-25, 25-12, 25-22, 25-18 Tuesday.
Dubuque (7-12 overall, 0-2 conference) came out sizzling, hitting .500 in the opening set. But Central (10-5 overall, 1-1 conference) jumped to a 9-2 lead in the second set, getting three kills from right-side hitter Emily Stoakes (junior, Gladbrook, Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS). The Dutch finished with a 5-1 flurry after trailing in set three and were in control most of the way in the final set.
“I was really pleased to see the team struggle a little bit and then find a way to fight through it rather than back down,” Clayberg said. “I thought we really took control after a lackluster first set.”
Stoakes and outside hitter Shantell Gish (senior, Cedar Rapids, Prairie HS) each had 10 kills while outside hitters Jessica Laflin (senior, Phoenix, Ariz., Horizon Honors HS) and Mollie Mason (freshman, Iowa City, West HS) each had seven. Mason flashed some promise with a few crowd-pleasing attacks.
Clayberg was happy to see the Dutch come out of an early season funk.
“We started the season well but then things just slowed down, we got tentative,” he said. “When we run our offense with some rhythm and get comfortable, we can be dangerous, but when we get hesitant, things shut down.”
Turning up the defensive intensity was the key to Tuesday’s comeback, he said.
“Our middle block had a nice presence and our right-side block, after the first set, seemed to find its timing,” Clayberg said. “Blocking is as much timing as it is positioning. We got hands on a lot of attacks and changed an awful lot of swings.”
The return of libero Dzenita Bahtic (senior, Urbandale) was a key. She had 22 digs after being sidelined by illness while Mason led the Dutch with 23.
“Dzenita coming back brought some stability to the back row, and Mollie Mason was outstanding in the back row,” Clayberg said. “Nicole Ewoldt (sophomore, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) did a nice job of reception, too.”
Setter Jill Schildroth (senior, Reinbeck, Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS) had 26 assists.
The Dutch head to Milwaukee for their fourth out-of-state tourney of the season this weekend, competing in the NACC/IIAC Crossover at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Friday Central meets Marian University (Wis.) at 1 p.m. and Concordia University (Wis.) at 7 p.m.
