WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team opened its 2015 season at the Peggy Martin Challenge by falling to the host team, No. 13-ranked Central Missouri University, in straight sets (25-18, 25-12, 25-14). The Mountaineers look to rebound when they take on Illinois-Springfield and St. Cloud State tomorrow at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectfully.
 
Led by sophomore outside hitter Kasey Hohlen (13 kills) and setter Kourtney Thompson (25 assists), the Jennies came out swinging with a quick 6-1 lead in the first set. The duo would push their lead to as much as eight points early, but the Mountaineers rallied back to bring the game within four, 16-20. After trading back-to-back points, Thompson slid a shot over the net to seal the set victory, 25-18.
 
In sets two and three the Jennies jumped out to quick double-digit leads, taking 10 point leads in both sets at 14-4.
 
Western outside hitter Tori Gaherty (Jr., Colorado Springs, Colorado) had a team-high seven kills, while Avery Burkholder (Jr., Helotes, Texas) added four. Setter Allison Walker (Jr., Aurora, Colorado) had 15 assists in 16 set attempts while also chipping in four digs.
 
Also for the Mountaineers, Amanda Maestas (Jr., Aurora, Colorado) had a team-high 13 digs.
 
For Central Missouri, Hohlen led the team with 13 kills, hitting .667 and adding nine digs. Senior Carly Sojka tied a school record with eight aces in the match. She also had 7 kills in the match. In addition to her match-high 25 assists, Thompson also put down five kills with a perfect hitting percentage and two blocks.