WARRENSBURG, Missouri — The Ouachita volleyball team opened play at the Central Missouri Comfort Inn Invitational on Friday with a sweep over Missouri S&T before falling to host Central Missouri in four sets.

The Tigers started the day with a 3-0 win over Missouri S&T (25-16, 25-18, 25-21). Riley Braziel led the way with 12 kills and two aces, while Leah Gardner added 10 kills and a team-high four blocks. Kylie Kisgen anchored the defense with 18 digs, and Courtney Hanson recorded a double-double with 36 assists and 15 digs to go along with four aces. Ouachita held the advantage in service aces and blocks, using strong serving runs to control the match and close out the sweep.

Ouachita hit .246 as a team while limiting the Miners to .174 and committed only 13 attack errors compared to Missouri S&T's 20. The Tigers also held a 9-2 edge in aces and led 48-41 in digs, keeping consistent defensive pressure throughout the match.

In the nightcap, Central Missouri topped Ouachita 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19). The Tigers battled back to take the third set but were unable to slow the Jennies' attack, which finished with 60 kills compared to Ouachita's 33. The Tigers totaled seven aces and eight blocks in the match, but Central Missouri's edge at the net proved decisive.

The Jennies hit .175 for the match while holding the Tigers to .079. UCM also posted a 15-8 advantage in blocks and a 55-30 edge in assists, creating consistent scoring opportunities. Despite OBU's seven service aces, the Tigers were forced into 29 attack errors that shifted momentum in favor of the Jennies.

The Tigers have a quick turnaround, opening Saturday's action in Warrensburg at 9:30 a.m. against McKendree before taking on ninth-ranked Washburn for an estimated start time of 2:30 p.m.