The first-seeded Central Methodist volleyball team opened the Heart Tournament with a 3-1 victory over No. 8-seeded Peru State College in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at home.

Central improves its overall record to 26-6, while the Bobcats close their season with a final record of 13-19.

CMU made quick work of the Bobcats in the first two sets, winning by scores of 25-15 and 25-16, respectively. The Eagles looked poised to close out the match in set three, leading 24-20. But Peru State rattled off four consecutive points to tie the set at 24-24. 

Both teams exchanged points until the Bobcats held set point, leading 28-27. An ensuing kill would give Peru State a narrow 29-27 win in set three and cut Central’s match lead to 2-1. 

However, Central responded with a tremendous set four, holding the Bobcats to just eight total points. CMU opened the set with seven straight points and never looked back, going on to win the fourth frame, 25-8. 

Joana Milho had one of her best statistical performances of the year, hitting .448 with 16 kills on 29 swings. The junior also tallied eight digs, three service aces, and a pair of blocks. 

Martina Gonzato also landed in double-digit kills with 10 in addition to four blocks, two digs, and an assist for good measure. Senior opposite hitter Lauren Strange produced her best performance of 2024, hitting .318 and rattling off nine kills, three digs, and two blocks. 

Lauryn Farish earned her fourth start of the year, matching Strange with nine kills while also tallying six digs, a service ace, an assist, and a block.

Senior middle Kelsie Walker matched her season high with seven kills and led the defensive presence at the net with five blocks.

Both Leticia Barea and Mia Trankler added five kills to their stat line, while Trankler finished the evening with four blocks. 

Freshman setter Giulia Gainelli tallied a double-double with 25 assists and 15 digs. Fellow setter Gabi Owczarek joined Gainelli in the double-double club with 20 assists and 10 digs.

Rita Campos anchored the defense with 21 digs in the four-set win. 

The Eagles advance to the Heart Tournament Semifinals for the seventh consecutive year. They welcomed fifth-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene for the semifinals at 7 p.m. after the Advertiser went to press on Tuesday. The winner will advance to the championship on Saturday against eight second-seeded Benedictine or third-seeded Park.