Raiders volleyball team has 1-3 start

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Without its top player, the Central Lakes College Raiders volleyball team went 1-3 over the weekend at the College of DuPage tournament to open its season.

The Raiders lost to Ridgewater 36-34 and 31-29 and beat Rock Valley College of Ohio 30-18, 30-11. CLC dropped its next two matches, losing to Des Moines Area Community College 30-18, 30-22 and College of DuPage 30-21, 27-30.

The Raiders played without sophomore middle hitter Val Diedrich, the only returning starter from last year, because of a high ankle sprain she suffered Wednesday before the trip. That proved to be a problem. As Raiders coach Jane Peterson pointed out, CLC has only two true middle hitters, forcing some players to play in unfamiliar spots.

Kandi Ketz and Jessica Melheim each had 19 kills on the weekend to lead the Raiders while Kristin Olson added 18 and Lexi Palo 13. Setter Abby Leach collected 64 set assists and 12 digs while Melheim led the team with 13 blocks.

"We were all disappointed that we didn't get more out of the tournament," Peterson said. "But we got better as we played and we had a positive attitude. We could've done more, though."

Raiders cumulative statistics (4 matches)

Abby Leach, 3 kills, 64 set ass., 4 ace serves, 12 digs

Lexi Palo 13 kills, 5 blocks

Toni Elyea 1 ace serve, 8 digs

Aubrie Anderson 3 kills, 2 blocks

Tracy Bell 11 Ace serves, 5 digs

Kandi Ketz 19 kills, 4 ace serves, 9 digs,

Jessica Melheim 19 kills, 2 ace serves, 13 blocks

Amber Schwieters 4 kills, 2 ace serves, 4 digs

Kristin Olson 18 kills, 3 ace serves, 14 digs, 5 blocks

Overall -- CLC 1-3. Next match -- CLC hosts Fergus Falls 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4.