The Centennial volleyball team had a good week on the court, defeating Central City Aug. 30 and Milford Sept. 1.
Centennial topped Central City 25-13, 25-12, 23-25, 25-15 in Utica behind 43 team kills. Cambria Saunders and Averie Stuhr had nine each, and Karley Naber and Catelynn Bargen added eight apiece.
The Broncos served 20 aces in the match, with Naber recording eight of those. Naber also picked up 19 digs, and Samara Ruether added 17.
"We started off strong, winning the first two handily," Coach Alex Anstine said. "In the third, we had the lead, then made some mistakes. We let the pressure get to us. The girls did a really good job of rallying."
The fourth set started with an 11-2 Centennial run, and the Broncos finished with the win.
"We were able to control our side and not make silly mistakes," Anstine said.
Stuhr and Bargen led the attack with 11 kills each in Centennial’s 23-25, 25-14, 25-9, 25-12 win over Milford at Milford. Ruether recorded 18 digs to pace the defense.
"The first set we came out strong and then made mistakes. We didn't put pressure like we could have," Anstine said. "We talk about the 'next ball' mentality. We're getting there."
It's usually a battle when the Eagles and the Broncos play, and Anstine didn't expect to win three sets giving up a combined 35 points.
"Kudos to the girls," she said. "We had multiple girls with multiple kills."
She said Stuhr had a good match, and when Milford blockers started keying on her, the other CHS hitters were open.
She was pleased to see the Broncos do a better job passing the ball.
"The serve and pass game is huge," she said.
The Broncos (4-2) swept Sandy Creek 25-22, 25-19, 25-14 Sept. 6 and will play in the Malcolm Invitational Thursday and Saturday, Sept. 8 and 10.
At Malcolm, CHS opens against Fairbury at 5 p.m. Thursday and then plays Elmwood-Murdock at 6. On Saturday, Centennial plays Malcolm at 9 a.m. and Ashland-Greenwood at 11.
