NORFOLK -- The fifth-ranked Central Community College volleyball team swept North Iowa Area Community College 25-16, 25-6, 25-13, but fell to Northeast Community College 28-26, 17-25, 25-23, 25-21 for its first loss of the season.
"Volleyball is a weird sport," Central head coach Mary Young said. "It's a game of momentum and you have off-nights when not too many things go your way. Tonight was one of those nights for us."
After winning a 28-26 first set, Central refocused to win the second set 25-17, before Northeast put the Raiders away two sets later.
"We had far too many errors and far too many mis-serves and really I don't feel like we played with a ton of passion," Young said.
Seeing a number of errors isn't surprising to Young this early in the year, she said. What is surprising, was Central limiting those errors earlier in the season.
"Anytime early in the year, you're going to have more errors," Young said. "The surprising thing is we didn't have a lot of errors that first weekend."
Down the stretch, Northeast took advantage of a series of Central errors to seal the four-set win.
"Give Northeast credit, they take care of the ball and work hard every point," Young said. "We had far too many errors."
The first loss of the season had Central a little grounded, but Young hopes it helps the Raiders in the long run.
"We were humbled and perhaps it will help us in the right way," she said. "We were obviously disappointed because we knew we're a better team than we showed tonight."
Skyler Erickson led the Raider attack in the loss with 21 kills, 16 digs and a pair of aces. Megan Anderson added 11 kills and five blocks, while Payton Chohon and Morgan Nikkila each tallied 10 kills.
Cassidy Yong recorded 55 assists to go along with 16 digs.
Young noted Hillary Thege, who had two blocks, and Keely Woods stepped up to help the Raiders dismantle North Iowa Community College in three sets.
"We played well and played with lots of confidence," Young said.
Freshman Morgan Nikkila led the Raiders with 10 kills and Erickson added seven.
Molly Gotschall had 13 digs, while Chohon had three aces in the win over NIACC.
Central hosts McCook Community College Wednesday.
Friday at Norfolk
Match 1
Central (6-1) 25 25 25
North Iowa Area 16 6 13
* KILLS: Central - Morgan Nikkila 10, Skyler Erickson 7, Megan Anderson 7
* BLOCKS: Central - Hillary Thege 2
* ACE SERVES: Central - Payton Chohon 3
* ASSISTS: Central - Cassidy Yong 17, Brooke Robertson 13
* DIGS: Central - Molly Gotschall 13
Match 2
Central 26 25 23 21
Northeast 28 17 25 25
* KILLS: Central - Skyler Erickson 21, Megan Anderson 11, Morgan Nikkila 10, Payton Chohon 10.
* BLOCKS: Central - Anderson 5
* ACE SERVES: Central - Erickson 2
* ASSISTS: Central - Cassidy Yong 55
* DIGS: Central - Yong 16, Erickson 16