Women's Volleyball 9/23/2021 7:21:00 AM

Bronchos Ready For Two Home MIAA Matches

Central Oklahoma plays its first two home Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association matches of the season this weekend when the Bronchos welcome Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney to Hamilton Field House.

UCO, 8-2 on the season and 1-1 in league play, takes on the Tigers (7-4, 1-1) at 6 p.m. Friday before playing the No. 4-ranked Lopers (10-1, 1-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday.

"It's going to be a big weekend for us," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "Fort Hays has a really good team and UNK is one of the best teams in the country, so it will be a big challenge."

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO opened conference play last weekend on the road, dropping a hard-fought three-set decision at Pittsburg State before rebounding the next day to down Newman in four sets.

Courtney Lane continues to lead the Bronchos. The sophomore standout leads the MIAA in kills per set (4.11), having racked up 148 already.

Lane has had 10-plus kills in all 10 matches this season with a high of 21. She's added 112 digs, 14 blocks and 12 service aces.

Lauren Jenkins ranks second in kills for UCO with 80 (2.67/set) while hitting .297. She also has 14 blocks.

Jenna Karp is hitting .284 with 79 kills (2.19/set) while also ranking fourth in the league in blocks with 1.11 per set (40 total). The freshman has also served up 10 aces.

Nalani McCrary has added 52 kills and 26 blocks.

Katie Le ranks fifth in the MIAA in digs per set with 5.28 (190 total).

ABOUT THE TIGERS: Fort Hays State opened league play with a loss to top-ranked Washburn before rebounding to beat Emporia State in five sets.

The Tigers are led by Isabelle Reynolds (97 kills, 113 digs, 16 blocks, 13 aces), Morgan Christiansen (75 kills, 43 blocks) and Emily Ellis (68 kills, 45 blocks).

UCO owns a 20-8 lead in the series and has won the last eight meetings between the two.

ABOUT THE LOPERS: Defending conference champion Nebraska-Kearney opened the season 9-0, including an MIAA-opening sweep of Emporia State, before falling to No. 1 Washburn.

The Lopers, who followed that loss with a non-conference sweep of Hastings, are at Newman Friday night before taking on the Bronchos.

UNK is paced by Anna Squiers, who has 98 kills and 36 blocks. Maddie Squiers leads the league in assists (11.46/set) and Lindsay Nottlemann tops the MIAA in digs (5.57/set).

Central trails 17-4 in the series and has lost the last five matches between the two.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#2 Katie Le: DS/LIB; 5' 4"; Freshman

#7 Jenna Karp: MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#2 Katie Le
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: DS/LIB

#7 Jenna Karp
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MB