Jennies Volleyball Concludes MIAA Regular Season at Newman & Hosting Pittsburg State

Scene Setter

(Receiving Votes) Central Missouri volleyball concludes the 2025 regular season with a pair of matches this week, beginning Friday, Nov. 14, against the Newman Jets at 6:00 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan., before hosting the Pittsburg State Gorillas on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2:00 p.m. from Dr. Peggy Martin Court, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center for Club Day / Senior Day in Warrensburg.
Saturday's match against the Gorillas will be Club Day / Senior Day, as a ceremony will be held after the conclusion of the match to highlight the contributions of four members of the Jens volleyball team, including Kersti Nix, Kayla Baer, Rachel Ziesman, and Grace Winkelmann. Elementary and middle school-aged youth volleyball players will receive free admission.
The Jens went 2-1 last week, defeating the Drury Panthers in four sets on the road in Springfield, before falling to No. 20 Missouri Western in four sets, and completing their 11th sweep of the season over Northwest Missouri from Dr. Peggy Martin Court inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.
Central Missouri checks in as the ninth-ranked team in the latest NCAA-II Women's Volleyball Central Region poll released earlier this week. Six teams from the MIAA are mentioned in this week's poll, including Nebraska-Kearney (top spot), Missouri Western (third), Washburn (fifth), Emporia State (seventh), and Central Oklahoma (eighth).
Redshirt senior Grace Winkelmann has collected 1,865 career digs for the Jens, ranking her sixth in program history, trailing Kylie Holen's (2015-18) mark of 1,996.
Central Missouri volleyball is excited to announce the signing of three student-athletes from the Class of 2026 to their roster, including Mia Lieberman (Caseyville, Ill.), Chloe Rauner (Omaha, Neb.), and Nora Wiley (Quincy, Ill.).

How to Watch

Both home matches will be available on a pay-per-view basis through the MIAA Network. Coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. Friday night in Wichita, and 2:00 p.m. Saturday from Dr. Peggy Martin Court inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.

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

Newman: Heading into Friday night's match with the Jets, Central Missouri holds a 16-0 advantage in the all-time series, including a 6-0 record in Wichita. In their previous matchup earlier this season, the Jens won in straight sets 25-14, 25-12, and 25-14 on Saturday, Oct. 11, from Dr. Peggy Martin Court, inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg.
Pittsburg State: Saturday will be the 82nd all-time meeting between the Gorillas and Central Missouri, with the Jens holding a 73-7-1 advantage in the series, including a mark of 33-3 in Warrensburg. In their previous meeting in 2025, Central Missouri defeated the Gorillas in four sets on Friday, Oct. 10, inside John Lance Arena in Pittsburg.

Jens By the Numbers

Central Missouri is averaging 17.7 digs, 14 kills, 13 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.6 service aces per set through 25 matches this season.
Libero Grace Winkelmann leads the Jens defensively in the back row with 481 digs, averaging 5.29 digs per set, adding 79 assists and 32 service aces. The Rhineland, Mo. native has collected double-digit digs in 24 matches this season, including a season-high 33 against No. 20 Missouri Western (Nov. 7). The redshirt senior is in sole possession of sixth place in program history for career digs with 1,865.
Senior Rachel Ziesman leads the team with 89 blocks overall, averaging 1.07 block per set while being one of four Jens to appear in 80 or more sets and start 23 matches in 2025. The Shawnee, Kan., native has recorded double-digit kills in 10 matches while adding five or more total blocks in eight matches for good measure.
Wesley Chapel, Fla. native Kayla Baer leads the team with 990 assists, averaging 10.88 assists per set through 25 matches this season. The senior has recorded nine double-double performances on the season, including all three matches this past week, highlighted by a match-high 52 assists and 12 digs against No. 20 Missouri Western (Nov. 7) in Warrensburg.
Redshirt sophomore Emma Siron leads the team with 309.5 points, while adding a team-high 270 kills, averaging 3.07 kills per set, and 24 service aces for good measure. After being sidelined last season due to injury, the Sedalia, Mo. native has recorded double-digit kills in 13 matches this season, including a season-best 19 on 45 swings (.311 attack percentage) against Findlay (Sept. 13).
Middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald's 82 total blocks is second for UCM defensively in the front row, adding 286.5 points, 223 kills, and a .309 hitting percentage. McDonald has posted five or more blocks in nine matches, while having 12 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.
Junior Shaye Koski is second on the team with 245 kills, averaging 2.92 kills per set, while adding 82 digs and 37 blocks on the year. The Parkville, Mo. native has recorded double-digit kills in 15 matches, including a season-best 20 kills against Hillsdale (Sept. 12).

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 will await its seeding for the upcoming 2025 MIAA Volleyball Championships, beginning Thursday, Nov. 20, from the St. Joseph Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph, Mo.

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