Sterling, Kan. – The Central Christian College volleyball team kicked off their 2022 campaign at a triangular, on Friday afternoon, hosted by the Sterling College Warriors. The Tigers played a total of ten sets in two matches against the Warriors and the Peru State College Bobcats.
In the opening match, the Tigers and Warriors traded sets with the Warriors winnings the odd sets, and the Tigers taking the evens. Unfortunately that led to a 3-2 win for the home team. Check out the box score online to see the individual set scores.
Despite the disappointing finish, the Tigers had a short turnaround and took the court immediately following the first match, taking on the PSC Bobcats. This time the Tigers dug themselves a quick hole and found themselves down 0-2 and facing a potential sweep by the Bobcats. However, they rallied to win the third set 26-24, used it for momentum that carried them to wins in sets four and five to give them a 3-2 match win.
Key Statistic
In the first match against the Warriors, the key statistic was a poor start in the fifth and deciding set. The Tigers allowed the Warriors to open the set on a 4-0 run, and the Tigers were unable to recover, falling 15-11.
In the match with Peru State, the Tiger attack in the fourth and fifth sets was impressive. As a team, the Tigers hit .424 in the fourth set, and .412 in the fifth, with zero attacking errors.
By the Numbers
Against the Warriors, the Tigers hit .053 with 42 kills on 169 swings with 33 errors.
They assisted on 37 of their 42 kills.
Defensively, they were credited with 69 digs and 4 blocks.
In the match against The Bobcats, the Tigers raised their hitting percentage to .235 on two more kills (44) on 33 fewer swings (136), but they drastically reduced their errors from 33 in the opener to just 12 in the finale.
The Tigers assisted on 39 of their 44 kills, and on the defensive side of the ball, they finished with 60 digs and 6 blocks.
Tiger Leaders
Vs Sterling
Kills: Amanda Dotter (17)
Digs: McKenzee Cook (18)
Assists: McKenzee Cook (31)
Aces: Amanda Dotter, Kamryn Vanatta, Camryn Wax (2)
Blocks: Kamryn Vanatta (2)
Vs Peru State
Kills: Camryn Wax (10)
Digs: McKenzee Cook, Alysen Harris (14)
Assists: McKenzee Cook (31)
Aces: McKenzee Cook (2)
Blocks: Joselin Rodriguez (2)
Coach Quote
"Great way to start the season! 2 well contested Matches with 2 good teams! I'm very proud of the work the team has put in to this point and how the group worked together today to get our first win of the season!" – Coach Rick Hughes
Next Up
With the split, the Tigers start the year 1-1. They will be back on the hard wood on Tuesday evening when they go back on the road for a pair of matches in North Newton, Kansas. They will play Cottey College at 6:00 pm and then wrap up the night against the host school, the Bethel College Threshers at 8:00 pm.
