(Peru, Neb.) – The unexpected run by the Central Methodist (CMU) volleyball team continued Tuesday night as they squeaked out a win over the Peru State Bobcats in Fayette, Mo. The Eagles, who were picked ninth at the beginning of the season in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) poll, are now 8-0 in the Heart after their win over the 'Cats.
 
It was tight match with the Eagles winning 25-21, 21-25, 17-25, 25-13, 17-15. CMU is now 27-3 overall while Peru State fell to 29-5 and 8-2 in the Heart.

 
First Set Action
 
The Bobcats scored the first point of the match on a block by Nadja Janjevic (Podgorica, Montenegro). The Eagles would respond with a kill and then the teams basically traded points until it was 8-8. On a service error by Peru State, CMU went ahead and extended their lead to 13-8. Peru State would rally back and tie it at 15-15 only to see the lead go back to the Eagles on the next play. Central Methodist would go on to win with the final point being scored on a kill.
 
Second Set Action
 
CMU would get the first point of the second set on a Bobcat error. A kill by Brooke Rudebusch (Moorpark, Calif.) on an assist from Gianna Gangi (Simi Valley, Calif.) tied the set. Peru State would go out to a 7-1 lead and increased it to 11-2 before the Eagles would score. CMU did get back within three at 12-9 before Cristina Viera (Montevideo, Uruguay) served up an ace. An attack error by the Eagles gave the Bobcats their 25^th point of the set.
 

Third Set Action
 
The Eagles would score the first point of the third set, but a kill from Yorgelys Jaspe (San Carlos, Venezuela) off an assist from Rudebusch would tie it at 1-1. A CMU error gave Peru State the lead – one they would not relinquish the rest of the set. A kill by Rudebusch would give the Bobcats the third set and a 2-1 match lead at that point.
 
Fourth Set Action
 
After the 'Cats took a 3-0 lead in the fourth set, the Eagles would fight back and eventually tie it a 4-4. CMU would take advantage of many errors by Peru State in the set and easily won 25-13.
 
Fifth Set Action
 
The Eagles would move out to an 8-4 lead in the deciding set before the Bobcats would fight back. Eventually, the 'Cats would tie it at 9-9 and then gained the lead with a kill by Jaspe on an assist from Rudebusch. After it was tied 12-12, two attacking errors by CMU gave Peru State a 14-12 lead with match point in hand. Three kills in a row gave the Eagles a 15-14 lead before Kira Shapiro (Omaha) with the assist going to Rudebusch tied the set up. A kill by CMU and a ball handling error by Peru State gave the Eagles the win.

 
Team Statistics
 
Neither team hit well which could have been because they combined for 188 digs. Peru State hit .135 while the Eagles were better at .190.
 
Three Bobcats finished with double-digit kills and were led by Jaspe with 14 kills while Shapiro finished with 13. Jhessica Martins (Uberlandia, Brazil) added 12 kills.
 
Rudebusch finished with 44 assists to lead all setters.
 
Gangi and Viera each had two service aces to lead Peru State.
 
Viera had a match-high 37 digs while Jaspe finished with a double-double as she had 15. Shapiro also finished with a double-double on the night as she added ten digs. Rudebusch, Janjevic, Martins, and Alaya Roberts (Cibolo, Texas) each had seven digs.

CENTRAL METHODIST BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Matches
 

While the loss broke a seven-game winning streak for the 25th-ranked Bobcats, they will have an opportunity to redeem themselves this weekend in a tournament hosted by Grand View in Des Moines on Saturday.
 
The Bobcats will open the tourney with a match against Huntington (Ind.). The Foresters are presently 11-9 overall and will play four matches before facing Peru State at 2 p.m.
 
Later, the 'Cats will face 23-2 Viterbo (Wis.) at 4 p.m. The Hawks moved up to fourth in the most recent NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Viterbo is on a 20-match winning streak and will play five matches before taking on Peru State on Saturday.