UCO Rolls Past Lions

JOPLIN, Mo. (Oct. 20) – Taylor Bevis and Haley Deschenes combined for 21 kills to lead No. 15-ranked Central Oklahoma to a romp over Missouri Southern Saturday afternoon.

The 25-16, 25-14, 25-20 rout was the eighth consecutive win for the Bronchos, who also picked up their 19th sweep of the year. UCO, now 24-4 on the season and 12-2 in the conference, returns to Edmond for their final two home matches of the regular season next weekend.

"Overall it was a pretty good match for us," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "We were solid in every phase and finished off a good weekend. We're playing well right now, but need to keep working on getting better as we get to the end of the season."

Bevis had a .485 attack percentage with 11 kills and no errors in 24 attempts, while Deschenes hit .360 with 10 kills and one miscue in 25 tries. Malia Kaaiohelo added six kills.

Ericka Scholl handed out 24 assists and Dominique Lipari led the back-row defense once again with a match-high 16 digs. UCO hit .307 as a team with 41 kills and 10 errors in 101 attacks.

MSSU led 4-3 early in the first set before to Kaaiohelo kills sparked a 5-1 run that put the Bronchos in front to stay. It was still close at 11-9, but kills by Bevis and Deschenes and a Callie Bangasser ace keyed a 7-0 spurt that made it 17-9 and put UCO in control.

The second set was close early and was tied at 4-all when back-to-back Bevis kills put Central ahead for good and the Bronchos pulled away from there.

It was back-and-forth throughout the early going of the third set and the Lions were up 11-10 when Deschenes took over. The sophomore outside hitter knocked down five kills in a 7-1 run that gave UCO a 17-12 advantage and the Bronchos went on to finish off the sweep.

Central is home Friday to host No. 2-ranked and defending league champion Nebraska-Kearney.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Callie Bangasser: DS; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#16 Taylor Bevis: OH; 5' 10"; Senior

#13 Haley Deschenes: OH/RS; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#7 Malia Kaaiohelo: MB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#1 Dominique Lipari: DS/L; 5' 1"; Junior

#4 Ericka Scholl: S; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#6 Callie Bangasser
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS

#16 Taylor Bevis
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH

#13 Haley Deschenes
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH/RS

#7 Malia Kaaiohelo
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MB

#1 Dominique Lipari
: 5' 1"; Junior
: DS/L

#4 Ericka Scholl
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: S