Waxahachie, Texas - The Central Methodist Volleyball program saw its season come to an end in the Opening Round of this year's NAIA National Tournament.
Central fell to Nelson University by scores 25-21, 25-22, and 25-21 Saturday afternoon in Waxahachie, Texas.
Saturday's contest marked the final game for six Eagle seniors including Vanessa Cantoni, Annabelle Maassen, Lauren Strange, Gabi Owczarek, Kelsie Walker, and Rita Campos.
It was a back-and-forth affair in set one, with Central holding a 10-9 lead following a kill from Strange. The Lions would rattle off five consecutive points to take a 14-10 over the Eagles. CMU trimmed the deficit to two courtesy of a kill from Maassen.
Back-to-back attack errors from the Eagles stretch Nelson's lead back out to four. Central was never able to get any closer than three points, as the Lions went on to take set one 25-21.
Set two saw CMU trailing by as many as four in the middle stages of the set. Trailing 13-9, the Eagles rattled off three straight kills from Maassen and Strange to trim the Lions' lead to one. Central would ultimately tie the set at 14-14 courtesy of a kill from Joana Milho.
NU regained the lead with three consecutive points before a pair of kills from Milho and a service ace from Giulia Gainelli tied the set right back up at 18-18. Both sides remained close and a block from Maassen and Walker resulted in just a one-point lead for the Lions at 21-20.
But the set of runs proved to favor the home team, as Nelson scored four of the next five points to win set two and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Nelson cranked up the pressure in set three, racing out to a 21-12 lead. Central battled back and held off match point three straight times, trimming the deficit to 24-21. However, a kill from Nelson ended CMU's run in the match and tournament.
Milho led the Central offense with 14 kills on 27 swings with nine digs. Maassen tallied a double-double in the final game of her college career, as the super senior tallied 10 kills and 10 digs to go along with a block.
Gonzato, Strange, and Walker each finished the evening with four kills. Gainelli led the Eagle setters with 22 assists while also securing a double-double with 15 digs. The freshman from Verona, Italy also led the team with three service aces.
Owczarek nearly earned a double-double with 12 assists and nine digs in the final game of her career. Campos tallied 14 digs and six assists.
The Eagles finish the season with a 26-8 overall record, their first Heart Regular Season Championship since 2004, and their seventh consecutive trip to the NAIA National Tournament.
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