MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 7-ranked University of Central Missouri Jennies spoiled the Hughes Fieldhouse home opener for the No. 12-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats, 3-0.
 
The Jennies won by set scores of 25-14, 25-20 and 25-18. UCM moved to 9-1 (2-0 MIAA) on the year, while Northwest dropped to 7-2 (0-1). The contest drew 714 fans in the first volleyball match in the Hughes Fieldhouse.
 
The first set saw the Jennies take a 10-6 lead before Northwest took its first timeout of the match. UCM extended the lead to 14-8 when Bearcat head coach Amy Woerth called her second timeout. UCM ran away from Northwest on the strength of a 13-1 run that turned a 10-8 lead into a 23-9 advantage. Northwest was limited to .023 hitting in the opening set with six kills and five attack errors. Northwest had a paltry 33% sideout percentage. In contrast, UCM had a 60% sideout effort in the opening set.
 
The Bearcats took an 11-6 lead to open the second set when UCM head coach Flip Piontek called a timeout. The Jennies crawled back to within 14-13 when Northwest called time. The Jennies used an 8-1 run to turn a 14-9 deficit into a 17-15 advantage. The Bearcats edged to within one point on two occasions, both coming via Rachel Sturdevant with a kill and a service ace. However, UCM tallied the final four points of the set to take it, 25-20. UCM hit .295 with 17 kills and four attack errors in the second stanza. Northwest hit .116 (10 kills, five errors) and sided out at 45%.
 
The Jennies did not trail in the third set and closed it out with a 25-18 triumph. UCM blitzed Northwest with a 12-3 start to the set. Northwest got to within seven on two occasions but could get no closer. Northwest hit .044 (13 kills, 11 errors) with a 44% sideout effort. UCM hit .250 (12 kills, three errors) with a 61% sideout percentage in the third.
 
Northwest will be back in action Saturday afternoon with a tilt at Missouri Western. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. at the MWSU Fieldhouse.