Atchison, Kan. - History was made Tuesday night as the No. 21 nationally ranked Central Methodist Volleyball program squared off against No. 24 Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.
Central exacted some revenge on Benedictine, who defeated the Eagles in five sets back on Oct. 4 in Fayette. CMU swept the No. 2 team in the conference by scores of 27-25, 25-15, and 25-18.
With the win, Central claims at least a share of the Heart Regular Season Conference Championship, the first for the program since the 2004 campaign. Additionally, CMU improves to 24-5 and 13-2 in the Heart of America, while Benedictine falls to 19-7 and 10-4 in conference play.
It was a heavyweight fight in the first set, as the score was even at 18-18 towards the latter stages. Central went out in front courtesy of a kill from Joana Milho, before extending their lead to 21-18.
Benedictine tied the match at 23-23, before going out in front via a kill. However, an attack error by the Ravens followed by a service ace from Milho gave Central the chance at set point.
BC tied the set at 25-25 on the following point before reigning Heart Attacker of the Week Martina Gonzato registered back-to-back kills to give Central a gutsy 27-25 set one win.
In set two, the Eagles began to assert their offensive attack, finishing the frame with a .241 hitting percentage compared to just .057 for Benedictine.
Tied at 5-5, Central went on a 13-4 scoring run over the next 17 points to take a commanding 18-9 lead. BC rattled off five consecutive points to cut the Eagles' lead to four.
But a kill from senior opposite Lauren Strange stymied the run, and Central did not relinquish a point the rest of the set, going on to win by double digits.
In set three, the Eagles found themselves trailing 10-8, before pulling out in front after scoring seven straight points. During the run, Milho tallied three service aces and a kill, in addition to kills from both Gonzato and super senior Annabelle Maassen.
The Ravens battled back and got as close as four points. But Central's high-powered offense could not be stopped, as the duo of Milho and Strange closed the set and the match out with five combined kills for the win.
Milho had the most efficient night of the season thus far, registering 13 kills on 20 swings for a .550 attack percentage. The junior from Lisboa, Portugal added 11 digs to her stat line to secure a double double in addition to a team best five service aces.
Gonzato continues to cruise in the latter stages of the season, as she finished the night with 12 kills and seven digs. Strange added six kills while Maassen added five kills, 11 digs, two service aces a pair of assists, and a block.
Freshman setter Giulia Gainelli dished out a team-best 17 assists and nearly registered a double double after tallying nine digs. Gabi Owczarek added 16 assists, six digs and a service ace.
Senior libero Rita Campos led the defense with 14 digs to go along with five assists, while senior middle Kelsie Walker recorded a pair of blocks.
Central will close out the home portion of its regular season schedule with a matchup against Culver-Stockton College Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. inside Puckett Field House.
The program will honor its 2024 Senior Class prior to first serve.
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