The University of Central Missouri Jennies Volleyball (1-0) team, led by head coach Flip Piontek, defeated Pittsburg State University (1-3). The Jennies won 3-1. This was the season opener for the Jennies and they faced the Gorillas, who already played three matches this season. 

  At the start of the game, the Jennies were slow to get into rhythm for the offense and struggled to slow the Gorillas. Pitt State came out of the gate with energy, and were able to assert a lead, forcing the Jennies to take a timeout down 14-21. They came out of the break more alert and attempted to come back. Although they closed the gap, another timeout was forced at 20-24 and eventually losing the first set 22-25.

  After dropping the first set, the Jennies rallied themselves to win the next three sets 25-16, 25-17 and 25-20. 

 “I was pleased with the connection between my setter and middle hitters,” Pointek said. “For us, the way we run our offense much more through the middle hitters than other teams. The outside was struggling today and the middle hitters really helped us pick up points.”

Sophomore outside hitter Sydney Lierz said that she was pleased with how they came back and kept their energy high, and believed in each other.

  “We were tentative at first, but we became more comfortable as the game progressed,” sophomore libero Jackie Storm said, “Adjusting to where the defense is and pushing our balls deeper will help us in the end.”

  The match was decided after the fourth set, however, both coaches agreed to play the fifth set to allow more practice for individual players to get more reps in an actual game setting.