8/26/15 • By Seth Ashby / sashby@columbustelegram.com
COLUMBUS -- Fans were treated with free admission to see the Central Community College volleyball team earn a home-opening win that wrapped up in less than an hour after the first serve.
The Raiders swept winless McCook Community College 25-11, 25-13, 25-7 Wednesday at the Raider Fieldhouse.
Central started its season last week at the Johnson County Community College kickoff Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas, where it lost its first two matches before putting two wins together to leave on a high note.
Now, with a home win under their belts, 21-year head coach Mary Young said she is pleased with the team's progression.
"I thought we've come a long way in a short amount of time," Young said. "I think we'll continue to get better. We passed the ball well, we served the ball really well. Bottom line is, we have a team that can really serve and pass."
The Raiders trailed 1-0 to start the first set and didn't trail again for the rest of the match, going on runs of at least six unanswered points in each set.
Alyssa Thege helped get things going in the first set with back-to-back aces. Morgan Nikkila took it from there, totaling six kills. Payton Chohon scored the set point with a soft tip on the left side of the net.
In Set 2, the Raiders jumped out to an 11-1 lead with the help of kills from Keely Woods and Keshia Ellwanger, as well as some unforced errors from McCook.
The Indians called a timeout and came back to score three of the next four points, but the Raiders scored nine of the next 10 to resume control.
Central received two aces from Sydney Yong, as they totaled an early-season high of 10 aces.
Young attributed some of the Raiders serving success to their match preparation.
"I thought we served pretty aggressive," Young said. "We went after some zones and thought 'We're going to try this and see how it works.' We have some athletes that can really serve and I just think the extra reps from the weekend helped and we've worked hard on it this week."
Set 3 was more of the same as the Indians simply couldn't keep pace. Central got off to a 14-2 lead with more aide from unforced errors.
Chohon put in three kills and two aces, while Amber Mazankowski and Emma Coenen added three kills each.
The Raiders were able to get their entire roster playing time against an Indians team that has 12 freshman on their 14-person roster.
"We played our entire roster and I was really pleased with Keshia Ellwanger, who came and did a nice job, as well as Emma Coenen, who also did well," Young said. "Everyone contributed and we do it that way every day in practice, so we expect that in matches."
Young also said naturally there are few things to work out moving forward, but was pleased with the communication.
"We need to get a little more consistent and we need to do a little better job connecting," Young said. "Payton and Riley (Dorn) struggled with their connections at times. That will iron out with time and with reps, and the girls know that. They didn't get hung up on it tonight. They talked to each other and kept trying to figure it out. That's the mentality you have to have, and I was really happy with all of them."
The Raiders will travel to Norfolk to play in the Northeast Community College Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Wednesday at the Raider Fieldhouse
McCook CC (0-5) 11 13 7
Central (3-2) 25 25 25
* KILLS: McCook - Samantha Smith 3, Amanda Heidrich 2, Melissa Hall 1, Stacia Wallaace 1, Deborah Kurtzer 1; Central - Payton Chohon 11, Morgan Nikkila 8, Hillary Thege 7, Keshia Ellwanger 6, Amber Mazankowski 4, Keely Woods 4, Emma Coenen 2.
* BLOCKS: McCook - Melissa Hall 1; Central - Hillary Thege 4, Keely Woods 2, Emma Coenen 1, Payton Chohon 1, Amber Mazankowski 1, Keshia Ellwanger 1.
* ACE SERVES: McCook - Samantha Smith 1; Central -Payton Chohon 4, Alyssa Thege 3, Sydney Yong 2, Kit Wells 1.
* ASSISTS: McCook - NA ; Central - Riley Dorn 32, Keely Woods 3, Emma Coenen 2, Payton Chohon 1.
* DIGS: McCook - NA ; Central - Alyssa Thege 6, Riley Dorn 4, Kit Wells 4, Morgan Nikkila 2, Payton Chohon 1.