(ST. PAUL, Minn.) – Finishing four games against nationally-ranked opponents in two days, the Central Missouri Jennies pick up a victory against #25 Northern Michigan before falling to #6 Southwest Minnesota State.
            The Jennies picked up its second win of the year this morning, with a 23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-15 victory over #25 Northern Michigan. After a slow start in the opening game, the Jens closed out the match in dominating fashion, holding the Wildcats to a combined .081 hitting percentage over the third and fourth games. Senior All-American Paula Harris led the offensive attack with 15 kills, along with a team high five blocks. Fellow senior Kelsey Ortwerth recorded her first double-double of the early season, collecting 12 kills and 12 digs. Bradye Peniston also had a large contribution, throwing down 11 kills. Defensively, senior Allie Huffman anchored the back line with 17 digs. Julia Bates collected a season-high 43 assists, while also earning six kills and a .750 hitting percentage.
            The high-powered Jennies offense couldn't keep the momentum gained during the win earlier in the day, as the #6 Mustangs knocked off the Jens 25-18, 25-23, 25-15. Central Missouri was held in check by the Mustang defense, hitting just .173 in the match. Ortwerth recorded double-figures in kills and digs for the second-straight match, earning 11 kills and 13 digs and leading the Jennies offense. Taylor Krejci led the Jennies with 14 kills, while Huffman picked up 13, giving her double-figure digs in three of four matches this season.
            The Jens looked poised to even the match up in the second set, holding a 17-14 advantage at one point, before Southwest Minnesota tied the game on three straight points. The set remained close up to Harris' kill that tied the score at 23-23, until the Mustangs took the final two points to win the set. Central Missouri was unable to take a lead in a third set that saw the Jens hit for just a .147 average and earn ten kills.
            The Jennies move to 2-2 on the season, which continues Tuesday, September 6th, in Rolla, Mo. UCM will take on the Missouri S&T Miners in a match scheduled for 6:00 p.m.