Century Volleyball keeps rolling!

The Century College Women's volleyball team had a phenomenal week October 3-8, going 4-1 and running their seaosn record to 15-4 overall. After falling to Bethel University's JV team on October 4 (26-24, 25-12, 12-25, 20-25, 12-15), the Wood Ducks regrouped and won their next 4 matches including a big wn over previously #3 ranked Central Lakes College. On Wednesday, October 5, the Ducks traveled to Anoka-Ramsey Community College and finished off the Rams in 3 straight sets 25-19, 25-19, 25-13.  On Friday, October 7, Ridgewater College came to the Century gym and the Ducks defeated Ridgewater in 3 straight sets 25-18, 25-19, 25-23.

On Saturday, October 8, Century hosted a triangular with Riverland College and #3 ranked Central Lakes College. The first match with Riverland ended with Century winning is 3 straight sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21.  Next was the most impressive win of the week against #3 Central Lakes College, defeating them in 3 straight sets.   "The team stepped up as most do against a ranked opponent. The focus and desire was the highest we've seen all season." said Coach Jay Kam.  Century dominated from start to finish and won in straight sets 25-19, 25-17, 25-13. The Ducks had 39 kills with only 11 errors. Second year player Emma Crandell (Forest Lake, MN) dominated with 16 kills and a hitting efficiency of 0.520.

Crandell ended the week with 58 kills, 12 service aces, and 63 digs. Other players with a good week were sophomores Kailey Mroszak (Wyoming, MN) and Mackay Williams (Salmon, ID).  Mroszak had 38 kills, 8 service aces, and 9 blocks. Williams contributed with 72 digs. First year player Kiyomi Callahan (St Paul, MN) finished off the week with 52 kills, 10 service aces, 54 digs, while fellow freshman Gabi Schwirtz (Plato, MN) had 186 assists along with 55 digs.  "While our players are climbing the stat charts, this is a team game," stated Head Coach Jay Kam.  "We wouldn't have kills without the assists. There would be no assists without the pass. And the pass would be much more difficult without the block getting set. More importantly we have 13 players on this team at every practice. They push each other to be better and that is why we have been playing well. Individual stats are fun to look at, but these are team stats and the players recognize that."

Kam added: "I wasn't sure when the schedule came out that playing 5 matches in 5 days this late in the season was a good idea. But we battled through some illnesses, injuries, and fatigue like many teams do this time of year. I'm really proud of the way they came out and competed this week."

The final three home matches of the regular season happen October 10-14. Tuesday, Ocotber 11, Century hosts DCTC.  On Wednesday, October 12, they host Western Technical College (free Raising Canes food and giveaways at this match), and on Friday, October 14 they host #6 MN State-Fergus Falls. All games are at 630 pm at the Century College gymnasium.  The Wood Ducks will then be on the road the remainder of the season. If they finish first in the division, they will host the District tournament on October 28 and 29.