UCO Downs Jets In Home Finale

EDMOND (April 7) – Mallory Hendrix knocked down six of her team-high 20 kills in the decisive fourth set to propel Central Oklahoma past Newman Wednesday night in the final regular-season match of the spring campaign.

The Bronchos – playing without injured starters Amanda Desch and Jaedynn Evans – claimed a 25-15, 25-19, 27-29, 25-15 victory in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association clash. UCO improved to 11-6 and finished 7-1 at home.

Hendrix hit a sizzling .462 with 20 kills and just two errors in 39 attacks while adding 10 digs. Courtney Lane had 18 kills and two solo blocks, while Lauren Jenkins made five of her 10 kills in the final set.

Ericka Scholl had an outstanding all-around performance in the final home match of her career as the senior setter dished out 59 assists while also notching 15 digs and seven kills.

Nalani McCrary and Payton Bell chipped in seven kills apiece, with McCrary adding and four blocks. Bella Burns had 28 digs and Kelsey Garcia 26 to lead UCO's back-row defense.

The Bronchos overcame an early 6-1 deficit in running away with the first set and led most of the way in taking the second to grab control of the match.

Newman stayed alive by winning a wild third set that featured 19 ties and six lead changes, scoring the final three points to pull out the 29-27 victory.

The Jets then jumped out to 11-7 lead in the fourth set only to see UCO roar back with an 18-4 scoring run in closing out the match. Burns sparked that comeback with three straight service aces, while Hendrix had five kills in the closing surge.

The Bronchos finish the spring April 16-17 when they travel to Topeka, Kan. for the MIAA Spring Tournament.

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Players Mentioned

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

#15 Amanda Desch: S/OH; 5' 10"; Junior

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

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

#3 Nalani McCrary: MB/RS; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#4 Ericka Scholl: S/DS; 5' 7"; Senior

#6 Jaedynn Evans: DS/OH; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#9 Mallory Hendrix: S; 5' 10"; Freshman

#8 Payton Bell: OH/RS/MB; 5' 10"; Freshman

#1 Kelsey Garcia: DS/L; 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

#15 Amanda Desch
: 5' 10"; Junior
: S/OH

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

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

#3 Nalani McCrary
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: MB/RS

#4 Ericka Scholl
: 5' 7"; Senior
: S/DS

#6 Jaedynn Evans
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: DS/OH

#9 Mallory Hendrix
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: S

#8 Payton Bell
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH/RS/MB

#1 Kelsey Garcia
: 5' 3"; Junior
: DS/L