WAVERLY, Iowa -- The Wartburg College volleyball team rallied from a set down to earn a five-set victory over Central College in front of a lively crowd on Friday night at Levick Arena, closing out the match with a 15-13 win in the deciding set.
The Knights (15-6 overall, 2-0 American Rivers Conference) bounced back from an 11-25 opening-set loss to split the next two sets before dominating the fourth set offensively. Wartburg recorded 15 kills on a .387 hitting percentage in the fourth to force a deciding fifth set, where the Knights held off the Dutch for the conference victory. Central fell to 11-8 overall and 0-2 in A-R-C play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Central claimed the opening set 25-11, recording nine kills, four service aces and two blocks to take an early lead.
Wartburg responded in the second set, earning a 25-21 victory to even the match. The Knights recorded nine kills and added a service ace and a block to level the contest at one set apiece.
The Dutch regained the advantage with a 25-19 win in the third set, finishing with an 18-10 edge in kills and two service aces.
The Knights answered in the fourth set, posting 15 kills to secure a 25-19 victory and force a deciding fifth set. Wartburg capitalized on Central's errors, including five service errors, to extend the match.
In the fifth set, Wartburg held off the Dutch for a 15-13 victory. The Knights recorded six kills, a service ace and a block while capitalizing on Central's miscues to close out the five-set win
Ashlynn Hodges paced the Wartburg offense with 16 kills and 18 points while adding three blocks. Her 16 kills surpassed her season average of 11.95 kills per match.
Anna Sash added 11 kills on a .370 hitting percentage, four blocks and eight digs. Sash has recorded at least 11 kills in back-to-back matches and scored at least 14.5 points in each contest.
Alexa Buhman distributed 33 assists and collected 15 digs, recording at least 33 assists for the third consecutive match.
Peyton Robinson anchored the back row with a team-high 27 digs, while Buhman also reached double figures in digs for the second straight match.
UP NEXT
Wartburg continues its homestand Saturday, Oct. 17, hosting Simpson College at 1 p.m. at Levick Arena. The Storm enter the matchup at 12-6 overall and 2-0 in American Rivers Conference play, after sweeping Coe College earlier this evening.Â
