(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – Other than a lengthy second game, the No. 8 Central Missouri Jennies made quick work of Missouri Southern, defeating the Lions 25-17, 29-27, 25-14. Senior Allie Huffman lead the offensive attack with 15 kills, coming one dig away from what would have been her eleventh double-double of the season.
            The Jens took control early, jumping out to a quick 9-3 lead, highlighted by a pair of kills from Huffman and Bradye Peniston. The Jennies finished by taking six of the final eight points, off of five kills and one Lions attack error.
            The second game was the closest battle of the night, as the lead changed hands six times throughout the set. Central Missouri trailed 21-23 before calling a timeout and responding with a pair of kills from Taylor Goodness and Paula Harris to tie the set. The Jennies then saw two set points slip away before an attack error gave them the 29-27 win. Missouri Southern had a pair of chances of their own, at 24-23 and 26-25, but were stopped on both points.
            The Lions hung around early in the third game, closing to within one point at 10-9 with a service ace, but the Jennies responded with a 10-4 run that all but closed out the match. Goodness finished the set with a kill, and the Jennies took the third set, 25-14.
            Peniston, a junior from Valley Center, Kan., hit for a  career high .727 hitting percentage, collecting 8 kills along the way. Harris finished with 10 kills and six total blocks, while sophomore setter Julia Bates collected 35 assists in the win. Seniors Kelsey Ortwerth and Taylor Krejci each led the Jennies with nine digs. With the win, UCM improves to 21-4 on the year, and 11-1 in the MIAA. The Jens are back in action next  Wednesday, November 2, when they host Truman.