Dutch volleyball team drops conference opener at Wartburg

Central College

WAVERLY-The Central College volleyball team dropped its Iowa Conference opener at Wartburg 25-18, 25-7, 25-15 on Tuesday night.

The Dutch battled in the first set, but the Knights (7-6 overall, 1-0 conference) slowly pulled away and controlled the match from that point on.

Outside hitter Jessica Laflin (junior, Phoenix, Ariz., Horizon Honors HS) led Central with six kills and added four solo blocks. Setter Claire Stewart (Colorado Springs, Colo., Classical Academy) assisted on 12 kills. Outside hitter Sara Snead (junior, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) and libero Tori Zempel (La Porte City, Union Community HS) tied for the team lead in digs with six. Snead and middle hitter Hannah Welter (junior, Lincoln, Neb., SW HS) added two block assists apiece, while middle hitter Shantell Gish (junior, Cedar Rapids, Prairie HS) recorded one service ace.

Central (3-8 overall, 0-1 conference) returns home for a non-conference match versus Augustana (Ill.) (7-3) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.