Improving with each match, the Central Lakes College Raider volleyball team knocked off the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Northern Division leader, Itasca, in four games Friday, Sept. 30 on the CLC court. Itasca won the first set, 24-26, and then the Raiders mounted the decisive campaign, 25-15, 25-23, and 25-22. The Vikings came in tied for the top of the Division at 5-0, while CLC had been in the middle of the pack. Team play made the difference for the young Raiders, with the lone starting sophomore, Melissa Widman, in a leadership role. She had 18 kills, 2 ace serves, 17 digs, and a block. Crysta Christensen added 8 kills, one ace, 9 digs, and 2 blocks. Carlie Sweet slapped 11 kills, 3 ace serves and managed 2 blocks. Abbi Knutson delivered 45 set assists. Alanna Hansen nailed 9 kills and put up 3 blocks. Hayley Hornick popped 12 digs. Emily Weber produced 6 kills. Kaylie Hanson fired a pair of ace serves and scooped 8 digs. CLC plays Fond du Lac at noon and Aboka-Ramsey at 4 today in the Brainerd campus gym. The Raiders are 4-2 in the Division and 8-8 overall.
