Lady Buffs drop first match of season to No. 12 Central Missouri

WT (6-1) took a two-set lead Friday night at the Colorado Premier Challenge but let No. 12 Central Missouri (5-1) come back to take the 3-2 win.

The No. 3 Lady Buffs had four players reach double-digit kills in the loss, including a team-leading effort of 13 by junior outside hitter Lauren Thedford. WT had 26 total blocks, including 10 assists by Lauren Purdy.

WT coach Jason Skoch is likely not happy with the Lady Buffs letting a lower-ranked team come back to beat them.

The Lady Buffs continue in Denver in bracket play today with their first match at 9:30 a.m. against No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State.

Linescore
No. 12 Central Missouri def. No. 3 West Texas A&M 24-26, 15-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-11

UCM--Kills: Allie Huffman 18, Abby Gruenbacher 14. Blocks: Jennifer Williams 1, Paula Harris 1, Bradye Peniston 1. Digs: Rachel Fister 25, Kelsey Ortwerth 20. Assists: Caitlin Pankratz 50. Aces: Pankratz 2, Peniston 2.

WT--Kills: Lauren Thedford 13, Natalie Johnson 11. Blocks: Lauren Purdy 1, Melissa Harper 1. Digs: Lauren Beville 25, Katie Rickwartz 19. Assists: Rickwartz 36, Laura Prinsen 16. Aces: Prinsen 1, Beville 1.

Records: WT 6-1, UCM 5-1