Lone Senior Headlines UCO's Back-row Defense

Preseason preparations continue for the Central Oklahoma volleyball team that looks to remain among the elite teams in the rugged Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

Last week brought previews of the hitters and middle blockers, with today's look showcasing the defensive specialists and liberos. The Bronchos open the season Sept. 6-7 at the Eckerd Invitational.

UCO features one of the best liberos in NCAA Division II in senior standout Dominique Lipari, who enters her fourth year of starting duty. She makes saves all over the court and is certain to end her career as one of the school's all-time best back-row defenders.

Lipari is a three-time All-MIAA selection, earning first-team honors in 2018 after being a second-team pick the previous two seasons. She dug up 20 or more shots 13 times last year and had 654 total digs -- ranking second in the league with 5.45 per set -- and is already fourth on UCO's career digs chart with 1,678.

Four players will contend for playing time at defensive specialist – juniors Callie Bangasser and Jordan Cramer along with freshmen Bella Burns and Elena Garcia.

Bangasser and Cramer are both two-year letterwinners and proven veterans with plenty of match experience, while the two talented rookies will be hard to keep off the court.

"This is another position where we have some depth in terms of numbers," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "Dom provides stability and is our only senior. She leads by example and has been tremendous for us the last three years. All four others will compete to get time and provide consistency in serve receiving and defense."

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

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

#5 Bella Burns: DS; 5' 7"; Freshman

#16 Elena Garcia: DS; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#5 Bella Burns
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: DS

#16 Elena Garcia
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: DS