By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

The Centre volleyball team failed to get past pool play Saturday in its home invitational tournament, but it wasn’t from lack of effort. Of the two tough matches they lost, their opponents had to play them three times to claim victory.

Coach Yvonne Burhoop said she is pleased with the advances her team is making.

“We lost a lot of experience this year,” she said, “but these girls improve every time they go out on the court. They are working and growing together, and that is a positive.”

The first match proved to be the easiest, as Centre defeated Northfield Academy in two sets of 25-9 each.

Herington defeated Centre 25-11 in the first game of the second match. However, Centre turned up the heat and defeated the Railers, 27-25, in the second game. The third game was another close contest, which Herington won, 27-25.

Centre played Berean Academy in the final match of pool play. Berean won the first game, 25-18. Not to be outdone, the Lady Cougars turned their play around and won the second game, 25-20.

Centre had a good lead several times in the third game, but Herington caught up and passed the Lady Cougars to win the game, 25-22.

Shelby Makovec was Centre’s leading setter against Berean, completing 38 of 38 attempts. Summer Espinoza completed 13 of 13 spike attempts and served for 13 points. Both girls had three aces. Brenna Shields had 15 spikes, including nine kills. Exchange student Carlotta Benning had four blocks.

Centre split matches played Sept. 9 at Goessel, losing to Goessel in two sets and defeating Elyria in two sets.

The team’s record was 3-4 after Saturday’s play.