Coach Hope Neargarder addresses her team. Photo from Monmouth College Sports Information Department.
The Monmouth College women’s volleyball team put up a fight but ultimately fell to Central College in four sets Friday night at Glennie Gymnasium. The Scots dropped the match 3–1, with set scores of 10–25, 25–19, 16–25, and 22–25.
After a slow start in the opening set, Monmouth bounced back in the second with sharper execution on offense and improved blocking at the net. Sophomore outside hitter Kaylee Celus led the way with 10 kills, sparking a 25–19 victory that evened the match at one set a-piece.
Central regained momentum in the third and fourth sets, though, capitalizing on consistent serves and a balanced attack that tallied 54 total kills on a .203 hitting percentage. Monmouth battled to stay within reach late in the final set but couldn’t overcome Central’s late surge.
The Scots finished with 32 kills and a .106 hitting percentage. Along with Celus’s double-digit effort, sophomore Lauren Aldrich contributed six kills, and senior Alana Robertson added five kills and three blocks to anchor the front line.
“It’s comforting knowing that we are all willing to work together and we play together as one,” said Celus. “We are excited to build on what we have been working for this whole season, which is trying to land a good seed in the conference standings.”
The Scots return to action Friday at 7:00 p.m. against Lake Forest and then again on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. versus Lawrence on Homecoming.