The Central Methodist volleyball program opened national tournament play with a five-set victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God (25-16, 25-16, 22-25, 26-28, and 15-11) Saturday afternoon inside Puckett Field House.

With the win, Central improves to 29-7 and advances to the Final Site for the fourth straight season. The Lions end their season with a 26-9 record.

The Eagles made quick work in the first two sets, winning sets one and two by identical scores of 25-16. However, SAGU battled back in sets three and four to push the match to a fifth and decisive final set.

Central jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the fifth, and and ultimately cruised to a 15-11 victory. 

Senior Jordan Wolfe and sophomore Callie Henson each led the offense with 14 kills, including a .480 hitting percentage for Wolfe. Junior Rebecca Neighbors finished the afternoon with 10 kills, while sophomore Delaney Miller added seven. 

Freshman Gabi Owczarek led the setters with a team-high 22 assists, while freshman Yenne Schepers added 18 and junior Marina Alonso dished out 11.

The duo of sophomore Krystal Brauner and freshman Annabelle Maassen tallied double-digit digs, as Brauner recorded 17 and Maassen 10. 

As a team, the Eagles held SAGU to .106 hitting percentage which included 36 attack errors. Wolfe and Miller each recorded eight blocks, while Henson added six and freshman Hannah Marcee tallied four. 

Central’s pool play opponents will be Missouri Baptist and Dordt (Iowa). This year’s Final Site will once again be held in Sioux City, Iowa at the Tyson Events Center. CMU was set tol play its first game at 3 p.m. on Tuesday against Dordt then will follow up with Missouri Baptist on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Previously this season, Central defeated Missouri Baptist 3-1 on September 11.