FAYETTE, Mo - The No. 21 Central Methodist University women's volleyball team put on a showing in front of a large Senior Night crowd, earning a five-set victory over Graceland University on Friday evening.

In a match full of ups and downs, Jane Kickham (JR/Springfield, Mo.) and Marija Janjusevic (SR/Belgrade, Serbia) fueled the Eagles offense with 13 kills and 10 kills, respectively, on 60 combined attempts. Shannon Peters (SO/Waverly, Mo.) coordinated the charge with 53 assists while Viviane Viana (JR/Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil) worked both sides of the ball with a 15-kill, 17-dig double-double.

Defending for CMU was Alma Flores (SR/Tijuana, Mexico) who recorded 13 digs and two aces, followed by Stevie Sherard (SR/Leavenworth, Kan.) with 11 digs. Mariana Do Nascimento (JR/Salto, Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Grace Stumbaugh (SO/Concordia, Mo.) provided a threat in the middle, each securing two solo stuffs and finishing above the .200 hitting percentage. Do Nascimento had five blocks in the match and seven kills while Stumbaugh had eight kills and four blocks.

With the win, Central Methodist strengthens its grip on first place in the Heart South Division and second overall, improving to 24-3 on the season and 12-2 in conference play.

The Eagles will return to action tomorrow afternoon to host a triangular match with Peru State University and No. 3 Columbia College. Central Methodist will face Peru State first at 3:30 pm and Columbia at 7:30 pm in Puckett Field House.