October 03, 2015 9:30 pm • By The Telegram Staff
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- The Central Community College volleyball team went 3-1 at the Iowa Western Community College Tournament Friday and Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The National Junior College Athletic Association, No. 8 Raiders defeated No. 4 Des Moines Area Community College 25-21, 26-24, 18-25, 25-21. The Raiders then swept No. 20 Iowa Lakes 25-22, 25-22, 25-15.
Saturday, they defeated Kansas City Kansas Community College 25-18, 25-18, 25-16, before losing to Iowa Western for the third time this season 25-19, 25-19, 25-16.
"Overall it was a good weekend," Central head coach Mary Young said. "We had some nice wins, especially Friday. Obviously, we would have liked to get a win over Iowa Western, but it wasn't in the cards."
Payton Chohon had a tournament total of 40 kills, while Morgan Nikkila had 36. Keely Woods had 26 and Keshia Ellwanger had 24. After a loss to Iowa Western Wednesday in Columbus, Young said she wants more balance.
"I think we had better balance and we're getting a little more out of our hitters," Young said. "Payton and Keely have been a force. We're starting to see our freshman emerge and I thought Keshia had a nice weekend. Hopefully we can continue and be consistent."
Central plays at Northeast Community College Wednesday before hosing its own Invite next weekend.
"We're at a point when we have to address our problems and we need to make a push to the end of October and be at our best," Young said. "I fell like we are in some ways. We have a lot left in us."
Friday and Saturday at Iowa Western
Match 1
Central (17-8) 25 25 25
KCKC 18 18 16
Match 2
Central (18-8) 25 25 25
ILCC 22 22 15
Match 3
Central (19-8) 25 26 18 25
DMACC 21 24 25 21
Match 4
Central (19-9) 19 19 16
Iowa Western 25 25 25
Tournament Totals
* KILLS: Central- Payton Chohon 40, Morgan Nikkila 36, Keely Woods 26.
* BLOCKS: Central - Payton Chohon 1, Morgan Nikkila 1, Hillary Thege 1.
* ACE SERVES: Central - Payton Chohon 4.
* ASSISTS: Central - Riley Dorn 99.
* DIGS: Central - Alyssa Thege 52.