Women's Volleyball 9/19/2019 12:20:00 PM

Bronchos Open League Play At Home Friday

Central Oklahoma makes its Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association debut this weekend with a pair of home matches at Hamilton Field House.

The Bronchos -- who went 8-2 in the non-conference portion of their schedule -- take on Pittsburg State at 6 p.m. Friday before returning Saturday to meet Newman at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Gorillas are 6-3 overall and opened league play Tuesday with a four-set win over Missouri Southern. The Jets, a first-year member of the MIAA, are 0-9 on the season and are at MSSU Friday night before coming to Edmond.

"We had a productive non-conference season, but things really ramp up now," said head coach Edgar Miraku, who is 190-57 in his eighth year at the helm. "We need to get off to a good start and it's important to protect your home court. This is an incredibly tough conference and every match is important."

UCO owns a 21-4 series lead over PSU and has won the last 11 meetings. The Bronchos lead the Newman rivalry 7-1, though the teams have played just once since 2011.

Central ended its non-conference schedule Wednesday with a home sweep of Southeastern Oklahoma.

Versatile sophomore Amanda Desch has led the Bronchos in the early going, both as a setter and hitter. She tops the team in hitting percentage (.298), kills (83) and assists (97) while ranking second in digs (97) and blocks (17).

Freshman Bailey Combs is hitting .292 with 72 kills, while junior Malia Kaaiohelo is the leading blocker with 21 to go along with 61 kills. Sophomore Lauren Jenkins has added 57 kills.

Senior Dominique Lipari leads the league and ranks in the top 10 nationally in digs with 218, averaging 6.41 per set. Junior Ericka Scholl has contributed 92 digs and a team-high 15 service aces.

Pitt State is led by Erika Ivkov (106 kills, 104 digs), Morgan Henning (84 kills, 21 blocks, .366 attack percentage) and Emily Regier (57 kills, 30 blocks).

The Jets are topped by Trinity Conley (121 kills, 76 digs), Eve Pearson (70 kills) and Sophia Helsing (59 kills, 54 digs).

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#2 Bailey Combs: RS/OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#2 Bailey Combs
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: RS/OH