By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre volleyball team continues to struggle but is making improvements as it gets more experience, coach Karen Nickel said.

The young team, made up of mostly underclass players and missing one of two senior starters, did not advance out of pool play at Marion’s Spikefest on Saturday but defeated Berean Academy in a consolation match.

“We played competitively against Halstead and the Wichita Defenders but had a completely different team against Marion in pool play,” coach Karen Nickel said. “I’m not sure what that was about.”

Centre lost to Halstead 25-16 and 25-10 and lost to Marion, 25-8 and 25-5.

The girls came close to winning their first set with Wichita Defenders. They led the first few minutes until Wichita tied them at 9-9. The game remained tight and was tied again at 24-24 before Wichita scored the next two points to win. After an 8-8 tie in the second game, Centre fell behind and lost 25-19.

The Espinoza twins, Samantha and Alyssa, combined for 15 service points.

Centre defeated Berean 25-16 and 25-10 in consolation. Grace Knepp served for 10 points.

“The girls are working hard and continue to improve on the court,” Nickel said.