Dutch upend Duhawks in road volleyball victory
DUBUQUE – The Central College volleyball team rallied from an early deficit Saturday morning for its first road win at Loras College since 2013.
Heading into the fourth set, the Dutch (15-6, 2-1 American Rivers) trailed the Duhawks (10-11, 1-2 conference) 2-1 and had just lost the third game by nine points. Central and Loras would exchange leads five times and were tied 11 times in that fourth set before Central leveled the match at 2-2 with a 28-26 win.
The fifth set was tight the whole way but Central lead for the duration and finished off the match, 21-25, 25-19, 16-25, 28-26, 15-13.
“We had some moments that we struggled,” coach Jeanne Czipri said. “As well as some moments that we were courageous and disciplined. We have to be true to ourselves and play clean volleyball.”
Central recorded a season-high 69 kills, including four players reaching double digits. Kaitlyn Koel (freshman, right-side hitter, Sioux Falls, S.D., Lincoln HS) led the way with 17 kills. Outside hitter Gracie Pierson (senior, Lake City, Minn.) matched her total from Friday night with 16. Middle hitter Kaitlyn Mumm (sophomore, Waukee, Des Moines Christian HS had 12 and right-side hitter Landry Pacha (sophomore, Wellman, Mid-Prairie HS) had 11.
Setters Avery Rexroat (junior, Macomb, Ill.) and Makayla Ribble (junior, Iowa City) had 30 and 29 assists, respectively.
“We had some players come back alive today” Czipri said. “Those four with double-digit kills were fabolous in the tough moments. I’m proud of our setters for making some good choices and working through some tough moments.”
Libero Colleen Kenney (junior, Taylor Ridge, Ill., Rock Island, Alleman HS) nearly had a team-high 35 digs. Mumm had three blocks and Rexroat had two services to lead the Dutch.
Central returns home for another American Rivers Conference match, hosting Simpson College Wednesday night at 6 p.m. from P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
“Every team in the conference is so talented in their own ways and every match is going to be a battle.”
