Women's Volleyball 9/30/2019 9:58:00 AM

Bronchos Host Missouri Southern Tuesday

Central Oklahoma opens a three-match Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association homestand Tuesday when the Bronchos host Missouri Southern for a 7 p.m. contest at Hamilton Field House.

UCO is 10-4 on the season and 2-2 in league play, while the Lions from Joplin, Mo. are 8-6 and 1-3.

"Every match is important when you get into conference play and we've got a chance with these next three at home to get some momentum going our way," said head coach Edgar Miraku, who is 192-59 in his eighth year at the helm. "This is a young team and we continue to make strides, but we've still got a long ways to go."

Central owns a big 21-7 series advantage over MSSU and is riding a 13-match winning streak that dates back to 2009. The Bronchos swept both meetings last year.

UCO is just 2-2 at home this season, but has had great success at Hamilton Field House over the years with a 289-94 record in the 3,000-seat facility. Miraku has a stellar 83-20 home record with the Bronchos.

Leading the team's balanced offensive attack so far is sophomore Amanda Desch, who ranks 10th in the league in hitting percentage at .296. She tops UCO in kills (119), assists (275) and blocks (24) while ranking second in digs (134).

A trio of underclassmen have at least 80 kills apiece -- freshman Bailey Combs (90), sophomore Lauren Jenkins (81) and freshman Courtney Lane (80).

Dominique Lipari, the team's lone senior, leads the nation in digs per set with 6.71. She's had at least 15 digs in every match this season, has 322 for the year and ranks third on the school's career list with 2,000.

The Lions are paced by Janelle Brehm, who is seventh in the conference in kills with 171 (3.05/set). Alyssa Diaz has added 92 kills and 38 blocks, while Alicia Pickett has 71 kills and 48 blocks.

UCO will be at home again this weekend, taking on Emporia State at 6 p.m. Friday and Washburn at 7 p.m. Saturday.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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