Jennies Rally From Down 2-0 to defeat Pittsburg State

Box Score | Season Stats

PITTSBURG, Kan. - Jennies volleyball secured their first conference win of the season, but it wasn't easy, needing to come from down two sets to none to do so. UCM won three straight sets against Pittsburg State to move to 13-2 on the season and 1-1 in the MIAA.

Carly Sojka led the Jennies in kills with 22 and recorded her fifth double-double adding 13 digs. Maddie Jones, who last night set a career-best with 20 kills, was the only other Jennie in double-figures adding 10 kills. Cheyanne Lyons added a career-best nine kills, including the match winner in the fifth set.

Two Jennies recorded 20+ digs with Shelby Winkelmann's 22 leading the way. Annie Reilly collected 21 and also landed a pair of service aces, giving her 199 for her career.

The first two sets were close at the outset, but it was Pittsburg State who rallied to win both. Up 16-15 in the opening frame, the Gorillas used a 9-3 run to go up 1-0. The second set was more of the same, as the Jennies actually held a four point lead, 13-9. The Gorillas fought back and went up 2-0 winning 25-21.

UCM finally broke through in the third set, going up 3-2 and never trailing again. The Jennies pushed their lead to 10, 24-14 thanks to a pair of Sojka kills and with help from a Gorilla attack error, won their first set of the match, 25-17.

Seemingly re-energized, the fourth set was all Jennies. After the score was tied 7-7, UCM went on a 9-0 run to open up a 16-7 lead and didn't look back as they cruised to a 25-12 win to force a fifth set.

With all the momentum, the Jennies jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the deciding fifth set and the Gorillas could get no closer than four. UCM put the Gorillas away scoring five of the final six points, with their final two points coming from kills from Lyons.

The win continues an impressive streak as the Jennies have not lost back-to-back conference matches since 2008.

UCM heads back to Warrensburg for their MIAA home opener next weekend. They'll take on Fort Hays State Friday, Oct. 2 and Nebraska-Kearney Saturday, Oct. 3.