WC Missouri News

Central Missouri Jennies volleyball is set to begin its 2025 MIAA season on the road with two matches this weekend. The team, which currently holds a 7-2 record, will first face the undefeated and fourth-ranked Nebraska Kearney Lopers (13-0) on Friday, September 26 at the Health & Sports Center in Kearney, Nebraska. The following day, they will play against the Fort Hays State Tigers (11-1) at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays, Kansas.

The Jennies recently went 3-0 at the Comfort Inn Invitational held at the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg. They secured a 3-1 victory over Ouachita Baptist and swept both Missouri S&T and McKendree. Four players—Grace Winkelmann, Rachel Ziesman, Kaelyn McDonald, and Shaye Koski—were named to the tournament’s All-Tournament Team.

Central Missouri returns 14 players from last year’s roster and has added seven newcomers this season. Among them are setter Shelbi Wilson who transferred from Hutchinson Community College and redshirt junior Kaelyn McDonald from Arkansas-Fort Smith. Several freshmen are also making their collegiate debuts.

Friday’s match against Nebraska Kearney marks the 38th all-time meeting between these teams; UNK leads the series 20-17. Last season, Nebraska Kearney defeated Central Missouri in Warrensburg. On Saturday against Fort Hays State, it will be their 38th meeting as well; Central Missouri leads that series with a record of 34-3. In their previous encounter last season, UCM beat Fort Hays State with notable performances by Maya Fergerson and Grace Winkelmann.

Statistically this season through nine matches, Central Missouri is averaging 16 digs, 13.3 kills, 12 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.8 service aces per set. Senior Rachel Ziesman leads with an average of 1.1 blocks per set across seven starts in nine matches this year while Kaelyn McDonald follows closely behind defensively with significant contributions in kills as well as blocks.

Redshirt sophomore Emma Siron tops the team for points scored and service aces so far this season after returning from injury last year; she has recorded multiple games with high kill counts including a standout performance against Findlay.

Libero Grace Winkelmann continues her defensive consistency by leading in digs—she recently surpassed her career milestone of reaching over 1,500 digs—and enters this weekend just shy of moving into tenth place on UCM’s all-time dig list.

Senior Kayla Baer leads Central Missouri in assists while contributing across several statistical categories including digs and service aces.

The Jennies are receiving votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll after their undefeated run at last weekend’s invitational event hosted at home; they join four other MIAA teams recognized nationally: Central Oklahoma (#2), Nebraska Kearney (#4), Washburn (#7), and Missouri Western (#21).

In postseason history under head coach Caitlin Peterson since last year, Central Missouri made its thirty-seventh NCAA Tournament appearance overall—a record that includes eight NCAA Regional Championships.

Looking ahead following this road trip opener to conference play, Central Missouri will return home on Tuesday night to host Rockhurst University for Ronald McDonald House Night inside Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.