UCO Opens Conference Play On The Road

9/20/2017 3:34:00 PM

Dominique Lipari

No. 10-ranked Central Oklahoma makes its Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association debut this weekend when the Bronchos go on the road for a pair of matches.

UCO opens league play Friday in Joplin, Mo. against Missouri Southern before moving on to Bolivar, Mo. Saturday to face Southwest Baptist. Match-time both days is 6 p.m.

The Bronchos are 13-1 on the season and riding a 10-match winning streak. MSSU is 7-6 for the year, while SBU is 1-12.

"We're looking forward to getting the conference season started," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "I've been pleased with the way we've played to this point, but we still have a lot of work to do if we want to compete for the conference championship. This is a tough league and we have to be ready to play our best every time we step on the court."

UCO was picked to finish second in the preseason poll voted on by conference coaches. The Bronchos came in third last season after winning their first-ever MIAA title in 2015.

Central tops the league in hitting percentage (.264), kills (14.02/set) and assists (12.93/set) behind a potent attack spearheaded by Taylor Bevis.

The junior All-American leads the MIAA and ranks fifth nationally in kills per set (4.84), having accumulated 189 already. Bevis is averaging 14.5 kills a match and has had three outings with 20-plus kills already.

Three players are ranked in the top eight in the conference in hitting percentage – Alexis Washington (fifth, .341), Jordan Spence (sixth, .325) and Karyn Chrisman (eighth, .308). Spence is second on the team with 105 kills (2.33/set), while Washington has 75 (1.88/set).

Setter McKenzie Fyfe is fifth in the MIAA in assists (9.84/set) and libero Dominique Lipari is sixth in digs (4.58/set).

Missouri Southern is paced by Alicia Pickett, who leads the conference in blocks (1.30/set) and ranks fourth in hitting percentage (.336). Janelle Brehm is third in kills (3.66/set).

UCO owns a 17-7 series lead over the Lions and has won the last nine meetings between the two teams.

The Bearcats paced by Katie Robinson (2.19 kills/set, 1.10 blocks/set) and Dana Neal (2.34 kills/set).

The Bronchos have taken the last six meetings with SBU and have a 15-2 advantage in the rivalry.

UCO returns to Edmond next Tuesday to open a three-match MIAA homestand against Pittsburg State.

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