GRINNELL, Iowa – After losing twice to Central College in both meetings last season, the Grinnell College volleyball team gained revenge Tuesday.
 
The Pioneers broke out to a quick start and won a straight-set battle against the Dutch at Darby Gymnasium, posting scores of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-20.
 
Rachel Woock '23 led the hitting charge with nine kills and a .280 efficiency, while Emily Brewer '24 – who was honored by her teammates with a gift prior to the match for reaching the 1,000-assist milestone for her career – had 27 assists.
 
Woock, Emmy Nyquist '24 and Julianna Vajda '24 contributed two aces each and Ella O'Neill '25 had two block assists. On the digs front, Payton Lowrey '23 led the team with 19.
 
Grinnell (6-2) opened the first set by scoring six of the first eight points and cruised the rest of the way. Central (3-3) hung close the second set, trailing 19-16 before Grinnell went on a 5-1 run that included a kill by Hayley Taka '26 and ace by Brewer.
 
The third set was tight, too, with Grinnell leading just 21-20 in the late going before closing out the win on Vajda's serve. She had an ace during that span and Taka finished the match with a kill.
 
Grinnell plays at the University of Dubuque Friday night.