Central sweeps Macalaster in volleyball tournament opener
ST. PAUL, MINN.— Opening up the Macalaster Invitational with a match against the host school, the Central College volleyball team swept Macalaster College (Minn.) 3-0 Friday night.
Picking up their third win of the season, the Dutch (3-2) downed the Scots (0-7) 25-15, 25-22, 25-14.
“I was really excited to see this group grind out another win,” coach Jeanne Czipri said. “We had a few hiccups in the second set and had to reset. Seeing us actually reset and play to win and come from behind was something we have been looking for two years now.”
Rush Hruska-Kelly (sophomore, outside hitter, Brookfield, Ill., Riverside-Brookfield HS) led the team with nine kills, securing a .316 hitting percentage on 19 attempts. She also had a team-high four service aces.
“Ruth is embracing and demonstrating a growth mindset,” Czipri said. “She’s trying to get better each day and has made some great strides.”
Setter Alyssa Lewton (sophomore, Ankeny, Centennial HS) tallied 13 assists and even added four kills and four digs.
Central also got five-kill performances from Natalie Gaszynski (freshman, outside hitter, Huntley, Ill.) and Kayleigh Fite (junior, Florissant, Mo., Trinity Catholic HS)
“Our hitters are working on their versatility and decision making,” Czipri said. “I am enjoying seeing that growth.”
Central has two more matches at the Macalaster Invitational on Saturday, facing off with the University of Wisconsin – River Falls (Wis.) at 10 a.m. and Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) at noon.
“I’m eager to see how we stock up against a good WIAC team and another team that gave us some trouble last year,” Czipri said.
