WARRENSBURG, Mo. – After leading the Jennies volleyball team to their 37^th NCAA Tournament appearance with an overall record of 25-8, head coach Caitlin Peterson has signed a three-year contract extension through the 2026 season, UCM Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell announced Wednesday, April 24.  
 
"Coach Peterson has built on the outstanding UCM volleyball tradition and kept our program at top of the MIAA, and we could not be more excited about what the future holds under her leadership," Howdeshell said. "As a former student-athlete, UCM Hall of Famer, and assistant coach, few people are more committed to UCM than her.  We are so excited to match our investment level to hers and match the momentum of the program under Coach Peterson. We are thrilled that Caitlin, and the Peterson Family will continue to call UCM and Warrensburg home for the foreseeable future."
 
The new contract is competitive in the MIAA Conference and provides incentives for MIAA championships, postseason appearances and achievements, coach of the year awards, and team GPA, as well as adjustments to the assistant coach salary pool.
 
"Central Missouri has been my home for almost 20 years, and I can't imagine a better place to continue my career." Peterson said.
 
In just her second season at the helm, the Jennies finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 25-8 winning their 26th MIAA regular season title along with the program's fourth conference tournament championship as Peterson was named the MIAA's Coach of the Year. After winning 10 matches against AVCA top-25 ranked teams, Central Missouri had three AVCA All-Americans in setter Olivia Olson (Second Team selection) while redshirt senior Kersti Nix and middle blocker Elinor Engel received Honorable Mention nods.
 
In total, eight players were All-MIAA selections highlighted by 2023 Player and Setter of the Year Olivia Olson who was one of four First Team members alongside sophomore Rachel Ziesman, outside hitter Kersti Nix, and freshman Elinor Engel. Outside hitter Sydney Lierz and freshman Emma Siron were All-MIAA Second Team selections, plus, middle blocker Grace Southern and libero Grace Winkelmann received All-MIAA Honorable Mention accolades.
 
"I'm grateful for an administration that believes in me to build on the success of our historic program. There are a lot of exciting things happening at UCM right now, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it." Peterson added.