Central splits volleyball matches at home tournament
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA—The Central College volleyball completed an unbeaten run through the Raleigh Invitational Saturday with wins over Piedmont University (Ga.) and William Peace University (N.C.).
The win over William Peace (2-4) was the first time Central (7-1) went more than three sets in a match this season. After dropping the first set 27-25, Central rallied with 25-21 and 25-20 wins in the next two sets. The fourth set was 25-14 drubbing by the Pacers. The Dutch rallied to take the final set 15-12.
“I love that we were challenged,” coach Czipri said. “And more importantly I love how we responded after that fourth set loss in a tight fifth set. Hats off to an incredible opponent who had all the weapons, great setters and fantastic defense.”
Gracie Daniels had a team-high 12 kills while both Leslie Snow (sophomore, Olivia, Minn., BOLD HS) and middle hitter Emma Wagler (junior, Des Moines, Roosevelt HS) had 10. Daniels and Wagler were each on in three blocks. Setter Avery Rexroat (sophomore, Macomb, Ill.) had 25 assists, Libero Colleen Kenney (sophomore, Taylor Ridge, Ill. Rock Island Alleman HS) had 29 digs and outside hitter Grace Pierson (junior, Lake City, Minn.) had four service aces.
Central defeated Piedmont 25-21, 25-16, 25-14 in the first game of the day. Daniels had 10 kills in that match while Pierson had eight.
“Piedmont wasn’t our cleanest match,” Czipri said. “Both of the Gracies had nice matches offensively.”
Rexroat had 28 assists, Kenney had 15 digs and Sophia Folkerts (freshman, Dike, Dike-New Hartford HS) had three blocks.
The Dutch had 14 service aces against the Lions led by four from Rexroat and three apiece from setter Makayla Ribble (junior, Iowa City) and defensive specialist Gwen Kahlke (junior, Blandinsville, West Prairie HS).
“Serving is becoming a strength of ours and I like the results we are having even with our serves that are not aces,” Czpri said.
Central travels to Dubuque for a tournament hosted by Loras College next weekend. The Dutch are set to play St. Olaf College (Minn.) and Monmouth College (Ill.) on Friday and finish the event against Westminster College (Mo.) on Saturday morning.
