WARRENSBURG, MO  --  Missouri S&T Volleyball will participate in the UCM Challenge this Friday and Saturday, taking on Ouachita Baptist, Washburn, and host Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

About the Miners
S&T is 2-6 this season, going 1-3 at both the Missouri S&T and Hampton Invitationals. Their wins have come against Christian Brothers and Roosevelt, with the Miners nearly picking up victories over Missouri Southern and Wisconsin-Parkside in a pair of five-setters.

The Miners are fifth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference for blocks per set, averaging 2.03. Kate Zipprich (Hardin, IL/Calhoun) leads the team in blocks and ranks third in the conference, recording 37 in 29 sets played. Additionally, Elly Decker (Manhattan, IL/Lincoln Way West) leads the Miners in kills this year, tallying 68 in six starts.

About the Tigers
Ouachita Baptist is on a five-match win streak entering the UCM Challenge, dropping only two sets in that span. They are 8-1 overall, with their lone loss coming against No. 7 Central Oklahoma.

The Tigers boast one of the best defenses in the country, holding opponents to a hitting percentage of .139 and ranking eighth in the nation for digs per set. Junior Kailey Thedford leads the team's attack with 93 kills this year, while junior Leah Gardner has contributed a team-high 100 points with 76 kills and 26 blocks.

About the Ichabods
Washburn is ranked No. 9 in the current American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll after going undefeated in the first eight matches of the season. They have dropped only one set and have outscored opponents by 169.5 points this year.

The Ichabods are third in the country in hitting percentage, posting a .340 mark through 25 sets played. They have four hitters above .350, with Austin Broadie, Brynne Topolski, Alex Dvorak, and Bella Limback all achieving that mark on at least 70 attempts.

About the Mules
Central Missouri is 4-2 and has dropped matches against Quincy and Findlay, both of which were receiving votes in the national poll at the time. UCM received five votes of its own in the most recent poll and will look to strengthen that position in matches against Ouachita Baptist, Missouri S&T, and McKendree this weekend.

The Mules' leader in both points and kills this season is Emma Siron, who has recorded 77.0 points and 61 kills in six starts. She also ranks fourth in the conference for service aces per set, picking up 12 this year.

What's Next
S&T Volleyball will begin its in-conference slate next, starting with road games against Upper Iowa, Truman State, and Maryville.

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