No. 13 Bronchos host MIAA/GAC Crossover

9/13/2017 8:43:00 AM | By: Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma volleyball is ranked 13th in the country and hosts the MIAA/GAC Crossover beginning Thursday at 11 a.m. in Hamilton Field House. [UCO Photo Services]

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EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma volleyball team makes its 2017 home debut Thursday with a pair of matches in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association/Great American Conference Crossover at Hamilton Field House.

The Bronchos, 8-1 and ranked 13th in nation in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25, will play Southeastern Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. Thursday, and then take on Southwestern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. Pittsburg State will also play both schools at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"It's going to be nice to finally play at home in front of our fans," UCO head volleyball coach Edgar Miraku said. "I know the team is ready to play a home match."

UCO won its first three games of the season, and following its only loss, has won the last five. The five-match win streak is also a five-match streak of wins in three sets. The Bronchos went to Southern Nazarene – which is co-hosting the MIAA/GAC Crossover in Bethany – and won 3-0 last Tuesday. Then, Central went to Colorado for the Steel & Silver Classic and won four more 3-0 decisions, one coming against a ranked opponent.

"We have a lot of newcomers on this year's team and that can be a challenge, creating familiarity and being able to play as a cohesive unit," Miraku said. "But this team has been up to the challenge. They've done a really good job to this point of figuring each other out and playing very well together."

Taylor Bevis has led the Bronchos this season, as the junior has in the past. Bevis has 113 kills in eight matches, and is averaging 4.91 per set. For comparison, in her sophomore season in which she earned AVCA All-American honors, Bevis averaged 3.9 kills per set.

But Bevis is getting a lot of help too. Allie Davis (70 kills), Jordan Spence (67), and Karyn Chrisman (53) have all been key contributors in the Broncho attack.

Spence has joined Bevis with all-league honors over the past two seasons. This year, the middle blocker from Edmond has stepped up her game. She's hitting .309 in getting 67 kills, and also leads the team with 33 blocks, including a team-high seven solo blocks. UCO ranks atop the MIAA with a 2.36 blocks per set average, and Spence is leading that charge.

Southeastern is 3-5 on the season. As a team, the Savage Storm hits .169 and averages 12.3 kills per set. UCO is 29-2 all-time against its in-state foe from Durant, Okla.

Southwestern is 4-5 on the season and comes to Edmond after defeating East Central 3-1 Tuesday in Ada, Okla. The Bulldogs as a team, hit .166 and average 10.8 kills per set. UCO has never lost to Southwestern in 12 all-time meetings.

The MIAA/GAC Crossover continues Friday. UCO will play East Central (noon) and Oklahoma Baptist (6 p.m.) as Southwest Baptist joins the mix. Tickets are available at the Hamilton Field House box office for single sessions, all-day passes, and a complete all-session pass.

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