KANSAS CITY, Mo. – No. 24 Central Missouri Jennies volleyball's libero Grace Winkelmann was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week, for her play on the court, announced by the conference office on Monday, Oct. 13.
 
This is the second consecutive week the Jens have had the Defensive Athlete of the Week, after going went 3-0 in conference play, including a pair of sweeps over Missouri Southern (Tuesday, Oct. 7) and Newman (Saturday, Oct. 11). UCM defeated Pittsburg State by a final score of 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23) Friday night inside John Lance Arena.
 
Winkelmann, a native of Rhineland, Mo., collected 67 digs, 11 assists, and 10 service aces through three matches last week, averaging 6.7 digs per set for good measure. Against the Lions, Winkelmann collected a match-high 16 digs, four assists, and three service aces before having a match-best 31 digs against the Gorillas.
 
During the sweep of the Jets on Saturday night from Dr. Peggy Martin Court, the redshirt senior recorded a match-high 20 digs, adding a career-best six service aces. In the winning effort over Newman, Winkelmann moved into sixth place in program history with 1,705 digs, overtaking Emily Applebaum (1984-87).
 
No. 24 Central Missouri continues MIAA play with a top-25 match up at No. 9 Washburn (17-1, 6-1 MIAA) Thursday, Oct. 16. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside Whiting Fieldhouse in Topeka, Kan.