North Park knocks off Central volleyball team
Central Dutch Athletics
CHICAGO, ILL.—The Central College volleyball team came up short against the host school on the opening night of the North Park University Invitational Friday night, losing in four sets.
The Vikings (12-3) took the victory over Central (6-8) 25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 25-18.
“I’m not too happy with how we competed tonight,” Czipri said. “I think in the three sets we lost, we played not to lose instead of playing to win. We played with a bit of panic instead of confidence.
“North Park did a great job of just coming at us, and we didn’t respond except in the third set. We really picked up our serving, our defense and our first contact, which allowed for the offense and blocking to flow better.”
Freshman outside hitter Krissa Larson (Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) had the most kills of any Central player, recording 10 on 44 swings.
“Krissa bounced back with some strong attacking,” Czipri said.
As a team, Central recorded 9.0 blocks, with middle hitter Tori Van Velzen (junior, Cumming, Norwalk HS) right-side hitter Melissa Miller (senior, Williamsburg) and right-side hitter Erin Dilger (junior, Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln-Way North HS) each assisted on four blocks.
“Our blocking made some good plays, especially from Tori, Mel and Erin,” Czipri said.
Libero DaLana Kron (sophomore, West Branch) had a team-high 16 digs while Landry Luhring (freshman, outside hitter, Grundy Center) had 12.
Setters Alyssa Lewton (freshman, Ankeny, Centennial HS) and Chapel Carter (senior, Colorado Springs, Coronado HS) had 15 and 10 assists, respectively.
The second day of the North Park Invitational continues Saturday for Central at noon against Greenville College (Ill.). The Dutch will also play St. Mary’s College (Ind.) at 2 p.m.
