PIERRE – Aberdeen Central dropped a three-set decision to a receiving-votes Pierre squad Saturday afternoon in Pierre. The Governors won the Eastern South Dakota Conference volleyball match by final scores of 25-12, 25-19 and 25-22.

Despite the slow start to the match, Central coach Jackie Bindenagel said her squad was able to put things together later in the contest.

“We did find a way to get rolling,” Bindenagel said. “We were right there in the second and third sets.”

Pierre entered the week receiving votes in the South Dakota Class AA media poll. The Govs are now 14-4 on the season after the win over Central.

The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, are 11-11 overall after Saturday’s contest.

Lauryn Burckhard led the way offensively for Central with eight kills. Ashley Wangler chimed in with six kills, while Arylie Waldo finished with 17 assists and three service aces.

Saturday’s match marked the third match in a string of five straight road contests for Central. The Golden Eagles head to Watertown Tuesday.

Serving: Aberdeen Central 45-54 5 aces (Arylie Waldo 10-12 3 aces).

Hitting: Aberdeen Central 67-87 25 kills (Lauryn Burckhard 22-32 8 kills, Ashley Wangler 12-13 6 kills).

Setting: Aberdeen Central 35-35 18 assists (Arylie Waldo 34-34 17 assists).

Digs: Aberdeen Central 34 (Sydney Evans 14, Anna Malchow 7).

Blocks: Aberdeen Central 2 (Taryn Nieman, Grace Kuch).