UCO Survives Five-Set Thriller

EDMOND (Oct. 1) – Courtney Lane knocked down 20 kills and Amanda Desch had four in the decisive fifth set as Central Oklahoma slipped past Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association rival Missouri Southern Tuesday night at Hamilton Field House.

The Bronchos appeared poised for a sweep after taking 25-18, 25-23 wins in the first two sets only to see the Lions take the next two 28-26, 25-19. UCO then claimed a 15-11 victory in the fifth set to take the match.

"It was a hard-fought match and we were fortunate to come out on top," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "We played pretty well the first two sets and had several chances to close it out in the third but couldn't get it done.

"Give credit to Missouri Southern for coming back like they did. Fortunately, we made some plays in the fifth set and got the win."

Central improved to 11-4 on the season and 3-2 in league play with its 14^th straight win over the Lions, who fell to 8-7 and 1-4.

Lane was one of three UCO players with double-digit kills, collecting her career-best 20 in 68 attacks with four errors. Desch finished with 11 kills, a career-high 26 digs and 25 assists, while Lauren Jenkins had 12 kills.

The Bronchos also got 33 digs from Dominique Lipari, who leads NCAA Division II in that category. Ericka Scholl had 32 assists and 13 digs, Kaeli Robinson chipped in eight kills and Jordan Cramer had 10 digs.

UCO took an early 5-2 lead in the fifth set as Desch had two kills and a service ace, but the Lions hung close and it was just a 9-8 advantage when the Bronchos took control with a 5-1 run.

Desch had two kills and teamed with Regan Inglis on a block to help make it 14-9 and Central finally ended the drama when Lane and Chloe Hancock blocked a MSSU attack to close out the 15-11 win.

Jenkins had five kills and Lane four in the first set as UCO took the lead and the Bronchos prevailed in a back-and-forth second set to grab control.

The Lions overcame a 14-7 deficit in the third set to avoid the sweep and then used an early surge in the fourth to win again in forcing the match to the limit.

UCO is back in action again Friday, hosting Emporia State at 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Jordan Cramer: DS; 5' 6"; Junior

#15 Amanda Desch: S; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#14 Chloe Hancock: MB/RS; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#10 Lauren Jenkins: OH/RS; 6' 0"; Sophomore

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

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

#9 Kaeli Robinson: OH/RS; 5' 7"; Freshman

#11 Courtney Lane: OH/RS; 6' 0"; Freshman

#17 Regan Inglis: MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Jordan Cramer
: 5' 6"; Junior
: DS

#15 Amanda Desch
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: S

#14 Chloe Hancock
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB/RS

#10 Lauren Jenkins
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH/RS

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

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

#9 Kaeli Robinson
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: OH/RS

#11 Courtney Lane
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: OH/RS

#17 Regan Inglis
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MB