Michelle Ripperger Oct. 28, 2008

Central falls to Loras after slow start

PELLA—Central College was slow out of the blocks as Loras College remained unbeaten in Iowa Conference volleyball action Tuesday with a 25-15, 25-22, 7-25, 25-15 decision. Loras (27-4 overall, 7-0 conference) jumped to a 14-4 advantage in the first set and it was 20-6 before Central put anything together. The second set was tight most of the way, however, and the third set was all Central, 25-7. But Loras regained its footing in the fourth set for the victory. The Duhawks last defeated Central in 1992.

The Dutch (18-14 overall, 4-2 conference) fell despite outhitting Loras .255-.172. Loras outside hitter Kate Russell had a match-high 14 kills.

“Loras played really well,” coach Kent Clayberg said. “We just weren’t mentally ready.”

Clayberg thought the Dutch had reversed the momentum after the third set victory.

“We finally did the things we had been planning to do,” he said. “It was the first time in the match we put our game plan in action. Our defense hinges on our blocking and its such a big part of our game. But before then we didn’t block the way we wanted to and we didn’t get the combinations we wanted.”

Outside hitter Michelle Ripperger (junior, Urbandale) had nine kills while middle hitter Lindsay Jennings (junior, Atkins, Benton HS) had eight kills and hit .583. Outside hitter Shayna Jacobs (sophomore, Ripon, Calif.) had seven kills. Setters Megan Callahan (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert HS) and Maggie Snyder (freshman, Alexandria, Minn., Jefferson HS) each had 14 assists.

Central travels to Mount Vernon Thursday for a league match with Cornell College.  The Rams are 15-13 overall and 3-3 in the conference.