Central splits volleyball triangular

MADISON, WIS.— Saturday started with a five-set victory over Lakeland University (Wis.) for the Central College volleyball team and ended on the wrong side of three-set sweep against Edgewood College (Wis.)

Central (15-9) reaches the 15-win mark for the first time since 2015 after the victory over the Muskies (13-13).

“We played really well against a tough, defensive team in Lakeland,” coach Jeanne Czipri said. “We played not so great against a good Edgewood team which played extremely well.”

Libero Landry Luhring (sophomore, Grundy Center) led the Dutch with 33 digs in the victory, defensive specialist Brooke Caves (senior, Oskaloosa) also had 16. Setter Amanda Smith (freshman, Tipton) had 14 digs to go with her 45 assists, registering her seventh double-double of the year.

Three Central hitters were in double figures against Lakeland, led by outside hitter Krissa Larson’s (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly- Shell Rock HS) 12 kills. Right side hitter Erin Dilger (senior, Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln Way North HS) and outside hitter Ruth Hruska-Kelly (sophomore, Brookfield, Ill., Riverside-Brookfield HS) each had 10. Dilger also had six service aces.

“We had a lot of people do a lot of good things against Lakeland,” Czipri said.

In the loss to the Eagles, Dilger had nine kills, Smith had 20 assists and Luhring had 13 digs. Middle hitter Kayleigh Fite (junior, Florissant, Mo., Trinity Catholic HS) was in on four blocks.

“We needed more people to step up in the second match,” Czipri said.

“Today was a great opportunity to be challenged in very different ways by two solid teams,” Czipri said. “We were happy to get a win, but even more grateful for the lessons learned. We can take them to get better and ready for next weekend.”

Central will be at the University of Dubuque for a 7:30 p.m. match Friday night.