Cornell Beats Central in Monday Volleyball Match

Returning to a familiar gym for the first time in over 10 years, the Central College volleyball team was defeated 25-21, 29-27, 25-22 Monday.

The Dutch (8-12) and Rams (17-4) used to play every year as Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents before Cornell left the league in 2012. Central had not traveled to Cornell since the 2011 conference tournament title match that Cornell won in five sets.

Gracie Pierson (sophomore, outside hitter, Lake City, Minn.) led the team with nine kills and Gracie Daniels (junior, outside hitter, Broken Arrow, Okla.) had seven. Amanda Smith (senior, setter, Tipton) had 23 set assists. Central had seven service aces, including three from Avery Rexroat (freshman, Macomb, Ill.). Rexroat also had a team-high 12 digs. Ashli Harn (freshman, defensive specialist, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) had 10 digs. Daniels and Emma Wagler (sophomore, middle hitter, Des Moines, Roosevelt HS) had two blocks apiece.

Central travels to the University of Dubuque for a match Friday night at 6 p.m.

Two Central Athletes Gain League Honors

A pair of defensive standouts received American Rivers Conference performer of the week recognition Monday. Volleyball libero Ivett Flores (sophomore, Windsor, Colo.) and football defensive back Reece Miller (junior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) were cited as defensive players of the week in their respective sports.

Flores posted a career-best 30 digs in Central’s conference victory over Luther College last Wednesday and she helped the Dutch in non-conference wins over Webster University (Mo.) and Westminster College (Mo.) in Missouri Saturday. She had 58 digs and four service aces for the week as the Dutch improved to 8-11 overall heading into Monday night’s match at Cornell College.

Miller, a 5-foot, 10-inch, 185-pound free safety, moved into the starting lineup early in the year and had three interceptions in Saturday’s 52-27 league win over Buena Vista University at Storm Lake. After the Beavers narrowed the margin to 38-27 in the third quarter, Miller returned his third interception 54 yards for a touchdown to stretch the advantage to 18 points with 13:30 left in the game. He also recorded eight tackles, including five solos, and forced a fumble. Central, 4-2 overall, plays host to Simpson College Saturday.