Wartburg edges Central for volleyball win
PELLA — Despite outplaying Wartburg College in some statistical categories, the Central College volleyball was defeated 25-16, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20 Friday night.
The Dutch (13-8, 1-3 American Rivers Conference) had more kills (55-47) and more digs (96-92) than the Knights (16-7, 4-0 conference). The two sides were also evenly matched on blocks (seven) and hitting percentage (.165).
“I think the most exciting thing is the way we rebounded after the first set,” coach Jeanne Czipri said. “We just made some untimely errors and we’re going to have that with such a young group.
“I’m really proud of the way we competed and started to communicate a little better.”
Middle hitter Kayleigh Fite (junior, Florissant, Mo., Trinity Catholic HS) filled up the stat sheet with seven kills, seven digs and six blocks.
“Kayleigh played off the bench for us the last few years but I think we’ve found a niche for in the middle,” Czipri said. “She’s smart and athletic and I think she’s doing a good job of competing. We just want to find her the ball more.”
Senior right-side hitter Erin Dilger (senior, Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln Way North HS) had 14 kills and a team-high .333 hitting percentage, but her contribution went beyond the box score according to Czipri.
“Erin went above and beyond tonight,” Czipri said. “Aside from her stats, she communicated her belief that we could win and willed us to battle; that was more valuable than her hitting percentage.”
Alyssa Lewton (sophomore, Ankeny, Centennial HS) recorded a double-double from the setter position with 23 assists and 12 digs. Central’s other setter Amanda Smith (freshman, Tipton) added 22 assists.
Libero Landry Luhring (sophomore, Grundy Center) had a team-high 24 digs. Defensive specialist Alexis Aragon (Champaign, Ill., Central HS) received the most significant action of her freshman campaign and delivered with 10 digs.
“Alexis has been putting things together in practice,” Czipri said. “She’s so athletic and we know she can chase down balls that we need to in that position.”
Also in double figures for the Dutch was outside hitter Krissa Larson (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) with 16 kills and outside hitter Natalie Gaszynski (freshman, Huntley, Ill.) with 19 digs.
Central will fight for its second American Rivers Conference victory Saturday afternoon as it welcomes Coe College to P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium for a 2:30 p.m. home match.
