FORT SMITH, Ark. – No. 25 Central Missouri Jennies (8-5, 1-0 MIAA) swept the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions (11-3, 0-1 MIAA) by final scores of 25-20, 25-12, 25-14, Friday, Sept. 18, inside the Stubblefield Center, in Fort Smith, Ark.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the match with a five-point victory in the opening set, the Jens doubled their advantage in the second, closing out the frame on a 10-3 run, highlighted by four kills each from
Maya Fergerson (match-high 12 kills and three digs overall) and
Ashlynn Jaccard (eight kills, six digs, and two service aces overall).
The Jens completed their third sweep of the season in the third set, opening the frame on a 12-5 run with a pair of kills from
Grace Wagers (six kills overall),
Kaelyn McDonald (five kills overall), and Fergerson.
Central Missouri out-hit the Lions by a margin of .307 to .096 in the match, highlighted by a .344 hitting percentage for the Jens in the second, while holding Arkansas-Fort Smith to -.051 in the frame for good measure, as
Shaye Koski ended play with 11 kills on 28 swings (.321 attack percentage), adding four digs.
Two Jens ended the match with double-figure digs, including a match-best 16 digs from libero
Ragin Corwin, while Aurora, Colo. native
Brenna Kelly collected 11 digs, and senior
Kirsten Harper added eight digs in the winning effort.
Bella Holcomb paced the Jens with a match-high 22 assists, adding six digs, two kills, and two service aces, while freshman
Chloe Rauner was just shy of her team-leading fifth double-double of the season recording 16 assists and nine digs on the night.
The Jens continue MIAA play on Saturday, Sept. 19, against the Northeastern State RiverHawks (1-10, 0-1 MIAA), with first serve beginning at 2:00 p.m., during Camo Day, inside the NSU Event Center in Tahlequah, Okla.
