Lady Saints End Season With Exuberance

Last Monday night's game against Baptist Bible College (Springfield, MO) was exciting to the very end.  The match went to five sets, after the two teams split 25-15, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25 in some very close games.  Though they fought hard, several service errors and losses on long volleys resulted in a win for the Lady Patriots with a score of 10-15.  

Sophomore and team captain, Robin Smeda, put up some impressive numbers, sealing her place as the #1 blocker in the NCCAA.  She had 10 blocks in this game, alone. The recent recipient of the Midwest Christian College Conference "Honorable Mention" award, put up a season high of  46 solo blocks and 19 assisted blocks. She recorded 83 kills, 23 aces and 193 digs for the season

Central honored their lone graduating senior, Julee Benton, who finished her season with 111 assists from the setter position that she shares with freshman, Kelsi Mueller. Benton had 62 kills and 91 digs in the 2011 season.

Kelsi Mueller earned Second Team All-Conference honors from the MCCC for her contributions to the team.  She finished the season with 27 aces (#4 in the NCCAA), 99 kills (#5 in the NCCAA), 23 solo blocks and 18 assisted blocks (#3 in the NCCAA) and 147 assists at the setting position (#3 in the NCCAA).

With the injuries suffered by twin dynamos, Lynnae and Leah Wolfe, Courtney Chippeaux stepped up her game to become a regular starter. Chippeaux's biggest contribution was the 11 aces that she earned in her 18 games. Newcomers, Annie Rexrode, and Jierra Woods rotated in and out of games with regularity and did an excellent job taking up the slack, in positions that were very new to them.

All-in-all, the Lady Saints' season record of  6-13 is one of the best finishes for the team in Central's most recent history.  With only one graduate, the team looks to have a stable roster for next year and hopes to travel to the ACCA National Tournament with a healthy and strong team.

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