WC Missouri News

Central Missouri Jennies volleyball is set for a busy week, beginning with a road match against the Drury Panthers on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 6:00 p.m. in Springfield, Missouri. This game marks the start of three matches in five days for the Jennies, who currently hold a 16-6 overall record and an 8-4 mark in MIAA play.

After facing Drury, Central Missouri will return home to host No. 20 Missouri Western Griffons on Friday, Nov. 7 at 6:00 p.m., followed by Northwest Missouri Bearcats on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7:00 p.m., both taking place at Dr. Peggy Martin Court inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.

The Friday contest has been designated "Teachers in the Bleachers Night," where the first 100 students attending will receive a complimentary t-shirt courtesy of UCM Athletics.

Last week, Central Missouri split its two matches—falling to No. 7 Central Oklahoma before sweeping Arkansas-Fort Smith for their tenth sweep of the season.

Redshirt senior Grace Winkelmann has achieved significant milestones this season, amassing 1,791 career digs and ranking sixth all-time in program history behind Kylie Holen’s record of 1,996.

Central Missouri’s roster features a blend of experience and new talent this year with fourteen returning players and six newcomers—including two transfers and four freshmen. Setter Shelbi Wilson joined from Hutchinson CC (Kan.), while redshirt junior Kaelyn McDonald transferred from Arkansas-Fort Smith.

In terms of team statistics through twenty-two matches, Central Missouri averages 17.3 digs, 13.8 kills, and 12.7 assists per set alongside solid blocking and service ace numbers.

Winkelmann leads defensively with an average of just over five digs per set and double-digit dig performances in twenty-one matches this season. McDonald anchors the front row defense with seventy-three total blocks and contributes offensively as well; she recorded sixteen kills and six blocks against top-ranked Central Oklahoma earlier this year.

Senior Kayla Baer directs the offense with more than eight hundred fifty assists so far this season while also notching several double-doubles—including surpassing one thousand assists during a win over No.1 Central Oklahoma that earned her conference recognition as Setter of the Week.

Offensively, Emma Siron leads in points scored while Rachel Ziesman provides strength at both net defense and attack with seventy-two blocks and consistent starting appearances throughout the campaign.

Historically, Central Missouri has dominated upcoming opponents: they are undefeated against Drury in fifteen previous meetings; lead Missouri Western ninety-two wins to eight; and have won over Northwest Missouri one hundred one times out of one hundred thirteen encounters.

The Jennies made their thirty-seventh NCAA Tournament appearance last season under head coach Caitlin Peterson—a tenure that includes eight regional championships since program inception.

Following these matches, Central Missouri will travel to Wichita for an away game against Newman Jets on Friday, Nov. 14.