Central takes two at Augustana volleyball tourney
Central College
ROCK ISLAND, ILL.—Showing a promising start to the 2011 season, the Central College volleyball team turned in a pair of 3-1 victories at the Augustana College (Ill.) Viking Classic Friday.
The Dutch topped Aurora University (Ill). 25-22, 25-22, 26-28, 25-20 and overcame Greenville College (Ill.) 25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 25-12 with a decisive fifth set.
Against Aurora (0-2), middle hitter Kiley Meyers (senior, Grundy Center) had eight kills and three blocks, two solo. Middle hitter Ashley Pedersen (junior, Humboldt), right side Caitlin Kouba (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert HS) and outside hitter Sara Snead (freshman, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) each had seven kills. Outside hitter Amy Golly (senior, Ankeny) had six kills. Setter Maggie Snyder (senior, Alexandria, Minn., Jefferson HS) logged 16 assists and 11 digs while freshman Jill Schildroth (setter, Reinbeck, Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS) posted 13 assists and eight digs. Libero Chelsea Grieger (senior, Pella) had 19 digs.
“At times we moved really well and at other times, we were a little hesitant,” coach Kent Clayberg said. “There were a lot of hits and misses.”
In the victory over Greenville, Meyers had 11 terminations, recording no errors and a .524 hitting percentage. She also had eight digs and three blocks.
“Kiley really played well,” Clayberg said. “She had a very nice night.”
Kouba had seven kills and freshman middle hitter Jessica Laflin (Phoenix, Ariz., Horizon Honors) had six kills. Golly posted six kills and 15 digs and Pedersen had four blocks. Snyder racked up 22 assists and Schildroth had nine. Grieger tallied 27 digs.
“Greenville (2-1) was a very physical team,” Clayberg said. “They ran an offense and defense similar to ours and it was much easier for us to play in rhythm. We were much sharper.”
But the Dutch struggled to stay focused in the third set.
“Volleyball’s a very intense game and a very fast game,” Clayberg said. “There’s a lot to pay attention to and we were just kind of flat in the third set. I thought we looked a bit tired. But it was nice to see us get re-energized and really get after it in the fourth set.
“We learned a lot tonight,” Clayberg said. “We struggled with some things but came out with a couple of nice wins.”
Central (2-0) completes tournament play Saturday, meeting Lincoln Christian (Ill.) at 10 a.m. and taking on host Augustana (1-1) at noon.
