WC Missouri News

Central Missouri Jennies volleyball will host the Rockhurst Hawks on Tuesday, September 30 at the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg. The match, which starts at 6:00 p.m., is part of the team's annual Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City Night.

Fans attending the match can gain admission for $1 by donating household items such as paper towels, disinfectant wipes, and other listed supplies. Monetary donations are also accepted, with contributors entered into a drawing for a gift card from McDonald's of Warrensburg.

Following Tuesday's home game, Central Missouri continues its MIAA schedule on the road. The team will face Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions on Friday, October 3 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then travel to Edmond, Oklahoma to play against No. 1-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos on Saturday, October 4.

The Jennies opened their conference play last weekend with a split record—losing to Nebraska Kearney but defeating Fort Hays State.

Central Missouri brings back 14 players from last season and has added seven newcomers this year. Notable additions include setter Shelbi Wilson from Hutchinson Community College and redshirt junior Kaelyn McDonald transferring from Arkansas-Fort Smith.

In series history against upcoming opponents:

- Central Missouri holds a 15-7 all-time advantage over Rockhurst.

- Against Arkansas-Fort Smith, UCM leads the series 3-1.

- Versus Central Oklahoma, UCM has won 21 out of their previous 28 meetings.

Through eleven matches this season, Central Missouri averages 16.2 digs, 13.5 kills, and 12.3 assists per set. Senior Rachel Ziesman leads with 42 blocks overall while middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald follows closely behind with strong performances both offensively and defensively. Redshirt sophomore Emma Siron tops the team in points and service aces after returning from injury last year.

Libero Grace Winkelmann has recorded double-digit digs in ten matches this season and recently reached her 1,500th career dig milestone. Senior Kayla Baer leads in assists with an average of nearly ten per set.

The Jennies are currently receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll following recent results that included a loss to Nebraska Kearney and a win over Fort Hays State. They are one of five teams from their conference recognized in this week's poll alongside Central Oklahoma (No.1), Nebraska Kearney (No.3), Washburn (No.10), and Missouri Western (receiving votes).

Last season under head coach Caitlin Peterson marked the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance under her leadership and its thirty-seventh overall.

Central Missouri will return home for another MIAA matchup on Tuesday, October 7 against Missouri Southern Lions as part of Totes of Hope / Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.