University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Bronchos Stay Unbeaten With Sweep

9/20/2014 5:08:00 PM

Bonnie Vernon

Box Score

HAYS, Kan. (Sept. 20) – Bonnie Vernon had a career-high 13 kills and unbeaten Central Oklahoma completed an impressive weekend road trip with a three-set sweep of Fort Hays State here Saturday afternoon.

The Bronchos improved to 13-0 on the season – extending the best-ever start in school history – and moved to 3-0 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play with the 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 victory that followed up Friday night's huge five-set upset of No. 4-ranked Nebraska-Kearney.

"It was really important for us to come out focused and ready to play today," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "We needed to back up last night's win with a good performance today and although we struggled some at times we made a lot of big plays in key situations. Any win on the road in this conference is huge."

Barbara Jackson had a match-high 14 kills for the Bronchos, while Vernon had 13 kills to go with 11 digs. Allison Barr hit .429 with 11 kills and just two errors in 21 attacks and Juliette Smith added seven kills.

UCO also got 22 digs from Whitney Gifford and 16 from Carissa Ophus, with Katy Davis making 44 assists.

The Bronchos trailed 10-4 in the first set, but Vernon had two kills and a block in a 7-1 run that tied it at 11-11. UCO didn't take its first lead until 22-21 on a Jackson kill and it was 24-23 when an FHSU error ended the set.

Central jumped out to a big 20-10 lead in the second set before the Tigers battled back, pulling within 23-22. Barr had a kill to make it 24-22 before FHSU scored, but Jackson's kill down the line ended it to put the Bronchos in control.

It was close throughout in the third set before a Jackson kill and Smith block gave UCO a 23-30 advantage and Vernon ended up getting the match-ending kill.

The Bronchos continue their conference road trip Tuesday at Southwest Baptist before returning home Friday and Saturday for two league bouts.

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