College Volleyball: No. 10 Raiders bump off No. 7 Itasca

Wednesday's Northern Division match was supposed to be a clash of two front runners for the division title as 10th ranked Central Lakes College faced seventh ranked Itasca. Both teams had 4-1 division records heading into the game.

It didn't turn out to be much of a battle as the Raiders sent the Vikings back to Grand Rapids with a three set sweep, as CLC won 25-22, 25-20 and 25-16.

"We were poised and aggressive and it looked like we were having fun," said head coach Jane Peterson. "It is great to play that way."

Sam Schlangen knocked down 13 kills and Ashton Kapphahn also hit double figures with 10. Schlangen and Kapphahn each tipped 23 set assists.

"We were better at things that we have practiced which is such an encouraging sign," said Peterson. "Our offensive game was more powerful, effective, and smarter. That is something that we have been struggling with."

Kapphahn also had three ace serves and the Raiders recorded seven as a team. What affected Itasca more was the effectiveness of CLC's service game.

"Our serving was tough for them and spot serving is something that we practice and we are getting better at," Peterson said. "I think we had seven aces, and it really isn't about that total, but about taking them out of their game."

The defensive game was also effective as the team recorded 49 total digs with Schlangen hitting double figures with 10. There was also strong play at the net as the Raiders collected 10 blocks.

It has been a grueling week as CLC traveled to International Falls on Monday night, and came away with a victory while looking forward to Wednesday's home game.

"We have been on the road a lot. It was only our second home game and something they have been looking forward to," Peterson said. "We had to focus on Monday's game before we could look to today."

Itasca 22 20 16

Central Lakes 25 25 25

Central Lakes statistics

Alyssa Hamilton 2 kills, 1 dig, 1 block

Kelly Pearson 6 kills, 5 digs

Ashley Abear 5 digs

Sam Schlangen 13 kills, 23 set assists, 1 ace serve, 10 digs, 3 blocks

Ashton Kapphahn 10 kills, 23 set assists, 3 ace serves, 7 digs, 1 block

Shelby Uphoff 6 kills, 1 ace serve, 5 digs, 3 blocks

Jenny Skoog 8 kills, 1 ace serve, 9 digs

Journee Howard 1 kill, 2 blocks

Cassie Shaver 1 ace serve, 7 digs

Division: CLC 5-1. Overall: CLC 9-7. Next: Central Lakes at Mesabi 2 p.m. Oct. 4.

1/2: 

2/2: Central Lakes College’s Ashton Kapphahn sets the ball Wednesday during the Raiders’ game against Itasca. (Kelly Humphrey, Brainerd Dispatch)