Andrew Mather | University Photographer

Women's Volleyball 10/15/2025 10:11:00 AM

No. 24 Jennies Volleyball Continues MIAA Play at No. 2 Washburn & Emporia State

Scene Setter

No. 24 Central Missouri volleyball continues MIAA play with a pair of matchups beginning Thursday, Oct. 16, against No. 2 Washburn Ichabods. First serve is slated for 6:00 p.m. inside Whiting Fieldhouse in Topeka, Kan., before the Jens take on the (Receiving Votes) Emporia State Hornets Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m. from White Auditorium in Emporia.
Redshirt senior libero Grace Winkelmann was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week after collecting 67 digs, 11 assists, and 10 service aces, helping the Jens to a 3-0 record with sweeps over Missouri Southern (Tuesday, Oct. 7) and Newman (Saturday, Oct. 11).
The Jens went 3-0 last week, beginning with a sweep of Missouri Southern Tuesday night inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center, before defeating Pittsburg State in four sets on the road, and concluding with a sweep over Newman Saturday night in Warrensburg.
During Saturday's victory over the Jets, redshirt senior Grace Winkelmann moved into sixth place in program history with 1,705 digs, overtaking Emily Applebaum (1984-87) after having a match-high 20 digs and a career-best six service aces.

How to Watch

Both matches will be available on a pay-per-view basis through the MIAA Network. Coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. from Whiting Fieldhouse in Topeka on Thursday and White Auditorium in Emporia on Friday.

Meet the Jens

Central Missouri returns 14 players from last year's squad while adding six newcomers, including two transfers and four freshmen.
Setter Shelbi Wilson spent the previous two seasons playing for Hutchinson CC (Kan.) while redshirt junior Kaelyn McDonald transferred from MIAA foe Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Defensive specialist/libero Ragin Corwin (Blue Springs, Mo.), middle blocker Bria Dawson (Overland Park, Kan.), outside hitter Aspen Nelsen (Indianola, Iowa), and outside hitter Sammy Klotz (Hoyt, Kan.) are entering their first season of collegiate volleyball.

Series History

No. 2 Washburn: Heading into Thursday night's match with the Ichabods, Central Missouri holds a 58-24 advantage in the all-time series, including a 19-12 record in Topeka. In their last meeting in Topeka during the 2023 season, the Jens swept No. 21 Washburn, led by 13 kills and three blocks from Rachel Ziesman, while Kersti Nix had 11 kills and one block for good measure.
(RV) Emporia State: Friday marks the 72nd meeting all-time between the Hornets and Central Missouri, with UCM leading the series 63-8, including 22-4 on the road. A season ago, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center, the Hornets defeated UCM in five sets.

Jens By the Numbers

Central Missouri is averaging 17.3 digs, 13.9 kills, 12.8 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.7 service aces per set through 17 matches this season.
Libero Grace Winkelmann leads the Jens defensively in the back row with 321 digs, averaging 5.18 digs per set, with 50 assists and 22 service aces. The Rhineland, Mo. native has collected double-digit digs in 16 matches this season, including a pair of 31-dig performances, with the most recent coming against Pittsburg State (Oct. 10) en route to collecting her 1,700^th career dig. The redshirt senior was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week for her efforts last week, collecting 67 digs, 11 assists, and 10 service aces. She is in sole possession of sixth place in program history for career digs with 1,705.
Middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald's 64 total blocks and 1.12 blocks per set paces UCM defensively in the front row, adding 193.5 points, 146 kills, and a team-best .340 hitting percentage. McDonald has posted five or more blocks in six matches, while having seven matches with double-digit kills for good measure. In the winning effort at No. 1 Central Oklahoma, the redshirt junior re-set her career-high mark of 16 kills on 28 swings (.500 hitting percentage), adding six total blocks, including two solo blocks.
Wesley Chapel, Fla. native Kayla Baer leads the team with 649 assists, averaging 10.47 assists per set through 17 matches this season. The senior has recorded four double-double performances on the year, including a match-high 47 assists and 11 digs en route to surpassing 1,000 assists at UCM in the 3-1 victory against No. 1 Central Oklahoma in Edmond, earning MIAA Setter of the Week honors.
Redshirt sophomore Emma Siron leads the team with 211.5 points and 22 service aces, while adding a team-high 178 kills, averaging 2.87 kills per set. After being sidelined last season due to injury, the Sedalia, Mo. native has recorded nine or more kills in 10 matches this season, including a season-best 19 kills on 45 swings (.311 attack percentage) against Findlay (Sept. 13).
Senior Rachel Ziesman leads the team with 57 blocks overall, averaging 1.06 blocks per set while being one of four Jens to appear in 50 or more sets and start 15 matches in 2025. The Shawnee, Kan., native has recorded double-digit kills in seven matches while adding five or more total blocks in five matches.
Junior Shaye Koski is second on the team with 157 kills, averaging 2.85 kills per set, while adding 64 digs and 26 blocks on the year. The Parkville, Mo. native has recorded double-digit kills in 10 matches, including a season-best 18 kills against Ouachita Baptist (Sept. 19).

UCM in the Polls

The Jens are ranked 24th in the latest AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Poll after going 3-0 this past week with victories over Missouri Southern, Pittsburg State, and Newman.
UCM is one of six MIAA teams recognized in this week's poll, alongside No. 2 Washburn, No. 4 Central Oklahoma, and No. 5 Nebraska Kearney, while Missouri Western and Emporia State are receiving votes.

UCM in the Postseason

The Jens made their 37^th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history in 2023 and the first under head coach Caitlin Peterson, as the Jens have a 41-41 overall record, including eight NCAA Regional Championships.

Up Next

Central Missouri continues MIAA play on Friday, Oct. 24, as they head to Joplin, Mo., for a contest with the Missouri Southern Lions (8-10, 2-5 MIAA) inside Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#8 Kayla Baer: S; 5' 10"; Senior

#19 Shaye Koski: OH; 5' 11"; Junior

#12 Emma Siron: OH/OPP; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#1 Grace Winkelmann: DS/L; 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior

#11 Rachel Ziesman: MB; 6' 0"; Senior

#15 Ragin Corwin: DS/L; 5' 9"; Freshman

#17 Bria Dawson: MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#21 Sammy Klotz: OH; 5' 9"; Freshman

#18 Aspen Nelsen: OH; 5' 9"; Freshman

#14 Kaelyn McDonald: MB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#8 Kayla Baer
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S

#19 Shaye Koski
: 5' 11"; Junior
: OH

#12 Emma Siron
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: OH/OPP

#1 Grace Winkelmann
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior
: DS/L

#11 Rachel Ziesman
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MB

#15 Ragin Corwin
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: DS/L

#17 Bria Dawson
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MB

#21 Sammy Klotz
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: OH

#18 Aspen Nelsen
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: OH

#14 Kaelyn McDonald
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: MB