Century Opens Volleyball Season With a Win

The high school volleyball season got underway Tuesday evening as defending county champion Century downed South Carroll in Winfield.

Volleyball was the only sport that was rained out Tuesday. The weatherman says rain for the rest of the week which will put more events in jeopardy.

The Knights took the match 21-17, 25-16 and 25-12.

"We need to start passing so we can get a good set," said Century coach Becky Groves. "There were a couple runs where we gave them a free ball. We can’t do that. We have to put something on the ball."

"There are still things to work on. It’s early in the season and we will go from there," said South Carroll coach Marcia Kinkel.

Century was led by Abby Thrift with 12 kills. Teammate Morgan Thomas had nine while Anna Collins and Steph Whealton had three each. Sophomore Hailey Thrift had 21 assist for the winners.

"Right now our starting setter is a sophomore," said Groves about Hailey Thrift. "It was her first game on varsity so she was a little nervous. She will just continue to improve."

Here's a look at Century, Liberty and South Carroll going into the volleyball season: 

The Knights open their third season under coach Becky Groves. Last year she directed them to the county title at 7-0 and 15-2 overall.

Returning for Century are Abby Trift, Morgan Thomas and Steph Whealton. Trift and Thomas are outside hitters and Whealton is a libero.

Bryan Trumbo returns for his third-year as coach of the Lions. Last year they were 5-2 in the county and 11-5 overall.

Sarah Cassatt and Kelly McCormick will fill big roles for the Lions. McCormick is a middle hitter and Cassatt a libero.

Marcia Kinkel starts her sixth season as coach of the Cavaliers. They were 2-4 in the county and 6-8 overall last year.

Returning for the Winfield squad is Grace Fansler, Heather Reed and Stacie Maring. Fansler and Reed are hitters and Maring a libero. There are seven seniors on the squad.