No. 6 Jennies Volleyball Set for 2025 MIAA Championships

Scene Setter

No. 6 Central Missouri volleyball takes on No. 3 Washburn Ichabods (24-3, 13-3 MIAA) in the opening round of the 2025 MIAA Volleyball Championships, Thursday, Nov. 20, at 2:30 p.m. inside the St. Joseph Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph, Mo.
The Jens had six players named All-MIAA selections, including three First Team nods in redshirt sophomore Emma Siron, middle blocker Rachel Ziesman, and redshirt senior Grace Winkelmann. Setter Kayla Baer was named to the Second Team, plus redshirt junior Kaelyn McDonald and outside hitter Shaye Koski earned Honorable Mention accolades.
The Jens went 2-0 last week, completing their 12^th and 13th sweeps of the season over Newman in Wichita, before taking down Pittsburg State in straight sets for Club Day / Senior Day, 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. Six teams from the MIAA are mentioned in the poll, including Nebraska-Kearney (top spot), Missouri Western (third), Washburn (fifth), Emporia State (seventh), and Central Oklahoma (eighth).
Redshirt senior Grace Winkelmann has collected 1,904 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

Thursday's match will be available on a pay-per-view basis through the MIAA Network. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon from the St. Joseph Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph, Mo.

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. 3 Washburn: Heading into Thursday's match with the Ichabods, Central Missouri has a 3-1 record in the modern era of the MIAA Volleyball Championships, with the latest meeting coming in 2019, with the Jens winning in five sets.

Jens By the Numbers

Central Missouri is averaging 17.8 digs, 14.1 kills, 13.1 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.6 service aces per set through 27 matches this season.
First Team All-MIAA selection Grace Winkelmann leads the Jens defensively in the back row with 520 digs, averaging 5.36 digs per set, adding 86 assists and 32 service aces. The Rhineland, Mo. native has collected double-digit digs in 26 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 with 1,904 career digs.
Two-Time MIAA First Team selection Rachel Ziesman leads the team with 94 blocks overall, averaging 1.06 blocks per set while being one of four Jens to appear in 89 or more sets and start 25 matches in 2025. The Shawnee, Kan., native has recorded double-digit kills in 11 matches while adding five or more total blocks in eight matches for good measure.
First Team All-MIAA selection Emma Siron leads the team with 331.5 points, while adding a team-high 288 kills, averaging 3.06 kills per set, and 27 service aces for good measure. After being sidelined last season due to injury, the Sedalia, Mo. native has recorded 11 double-double performances on the season, along with double-digit kills in 14 matches, including a season-best 19 on 45 swings (.311 attack percentage) against Findlay (Sept. 13).
Second Team All-MIAA selection Kayla Baer leads the team with 1,066 assists, averaging 10.99 assists per set through 27 matches this season. The senior has recorded nine double-double performances on the season, highlighted by a match-high 52 assists and 12 digs against No. 20 Missouri Western (Nov. 7) in Warrensburg.
Honorable Mention All-MIAA selection Kaelyn McDonald's 85 total blocks is second for UCM defensively in the front row, adding 296 points, 229 kills, and a .307 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.
Honorable Mention All-MIAA selection Shaye Koski is second on the team with 271 kills, averaging 3.01 kills per set, while adding 85 digs and 39 blocks on the year. The Parkville, Mo. native has recorded double-digit kills in 17 matches, including a season-best 20 kills against Hillsdale (Sept. 12).

UCM at the MIAA Championships

The Jens have won four MIAA Volleyball Championship titles, with the latest coming in 2023, with an overall record of 21-7, 18-2 in MIAA play, and capturing the program's 26^th regular season title, earning the top seed in the tournament.
The Jens defeated Emporia State (3-0; 26-24, 25-11, 25-21), Missouri Western (3-1; 25-23, 25-13, 23-25, 25-20), and Nebraska-Kearney (3-0; 25-16, 27-25, 25-11), earning the fourth-seed in the NCAA-II Central Regional tournament.

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.

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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