WC Missouri News

Central Missouri Jennies volleyball is set to host two home matches this weekend as part of its Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) schedule. The team will face No. 7-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos on Friday, October 31, at 6:00 p.m., followed by a match against the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions on Saturday, November 1, at 2:00 p.m. Both contests will take place at the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.

Friday's match will also feature a Halloween Trick or Treat Night. The first 100 students through the gates will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of UCM Athletics. Additional activities include a performance by the UCM Drumline and a Halloween costume competition between sets two and three.

The Jennies recently secured their ninth sweep of the season with a straight-sets win over Missouri Southern on October 24 in Joplin. Redshirt senior Grace Winkelmann reached a career milestone with her 1,750th dig, placing her sixth in program history.

Central Missouri enters the weekend with a record of 15-5 overall and 7-3 in conference play. The roster features returning players from last season along with six newcomers, including transfers Shelbi Wilson and Kaelyn McDonald.

In terms of series history, Central Missouri holds a 22-7 advantage over Central Oklahoma and has won nine out of eleven previous meetings in Warrensburg. Earlier this season, the Jennies defeated then-No.1 UCO on the road—marking their first top-five road victory since beating No.2 Washburn in Topeka during the 2021 season.

Against Arkansas-Fort Smith, Central Missouri leads the all-time series 4-1. The teams met earlier this year in Fort Smith where Central Missouri won in four sets.

Statistically this season, Central Missouri is averaging 17.2 digs, 13.8 kills, and 12.7 assists per set over twenty matches played so far. Libero Grace Winkelmann leads defensively with an average of just over five digs per set and has recorded double-digit digs in nineteen matches this year.

Middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald tops the team’s blocking stats while Kayla Baer leads with assists per set and recently surpassed one thousand career assists at UCM after earning MIAA Setter of the Week honors for her performance against Central Oklahoma earlier this month.

Emma Siron leads the team in points scored and kills after returning from injury last season; Rachel Ziesman ranks second on blocks; Shaye Koski is second on kills for the squad.

The Jennies made their thirty-seventh NCAA Tournament appearance last year under head coach Caitlin Peterson and have eight NCAA Regional Championships to date.

Following these home games, Central Missouri will travel to Springfield for a non-conference matchup against Drury Panthers on Tuesday, November 4.