UCO To Host Final Two Home Matches

No. 18-ranked Central Oklahoma closes out the 2022 home schedule this week with a pair of crucial Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association matches at Hamilton Field House.

The Bronchos, 22-4 on the season and 12-4 in league play, take on defending conference champion Central Missouri (16-8, 11-4) Thursday before facing Missouri Western (8-16, 5-11) Friday on Senior Night. Match-time is 6 p.m. both days.

UCO is third in the MIAA standings with four matches remaining, one match behind co-leaders Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest Missouri (13-3). The Bronchos have already clinched a berth in the MIAA Volleyball Championship, with that eight-team tournament set for Nov. 10-12 in St. Joseph, Mo.

"It's still a tight race, so every match is important at this stage of the season," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "We have two big matches this week and need to protect our home court, though we know that will be a challenge."

Central finishes the regular season next Tuesday and Wednesday with matches at Newman and Northwest Missouri.

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO picked up its fourth win over a top-20 MIAA opponent last week with an epic five-set come-from-behind victory at No. 12 Washburn.

It was the second upset of the season over the Ichabods, who were No. 6 when the Bronchos beat them at home on Sept. 22. Northwest Missouri was No. 10 when UCO won at home on Oct. 7 and the Bronchos won at then-No. 18 Central Missouri on Sept. 30.

Central is 11-1 at home this year, the lone loss coming to then No. 6-Nebraska-Kearney on Oct. 15 in a five-set thriller.

The Bronchos lead NCAA Division II in six team categories – total attacks (4,085), total kills (1,442), total assists (1,325), total digs (1,901), attacks per set (41.26) and digs per set (19.2). UCO ranks fourth in kills per set (14.57) and assists per set (13.38).

Sophomore Jaedynn Evans continues to lead the nation in both total digs (648) and digs per set (6.55). She's moved into eighth place on the school's single-season digs list.

Freshman Lindsey Houran remains the Division II leader in total assists with 1,174 and her 11.86 per-set average ranks third. She's had 13 matches with 50-plus assists this season.

The Bronchos have three players with 225-plus kills – freshman Sydney Huck (383) and sophomores Mallorie Koehn (291) and Jenna Karp (230). Huck ranks ninth nationally in total kills and she tops the MIAA in kills per set (4.12).

Freshman Lari Migliorino is third in the conference in hitting percentage at .349 with 133 kills. Karp is sixth on that list at .324 and she also leads UCO in total blocks with 75.

ABOUT THE JENNIES: Central Missouri is riding a four-match winning streak, capped by a big five-set road win over league co-leader and No. 8-ranked Nebraska-Kearney last Saturday.

The Jennies from Warrensburg, Mo. headed the list of teams receiving votes in this week's AVCA national poll. UCM leads the league in blocking, averaging 2.53 per set.

Kersti Nix paces the Jennies with 336 kills and 60 blocks. Sydney Lierz has 197 kills and 42 blocks, Grace Southern is hitting .311 with 188 kills and 97 blocks and Jenna Schultz has an MIAA-best 99 blocks along with 126 kills.

The Bronchos earned their first-ever road win over UCM on Sept. 30, prevailing in four sets. The Jennies still own a commanding 19-5 series lead.

ABOUT THE GRIFFONS: Missouri Western has went 3-3 in its last six matches and still has an outside chance of finishing in the top eight to qualify for the league tournament.

The Griffons from St. Joseph, Mo. are led by Danielle Moje (234 kills, 65 blocks), Lily Kurz (140 kills, 78 blocks) and Katherine White (133 kills).

UCO swept MWSU in St. Joseph on Oct. 1 for its fifth win in the last six meetings, extending its series lead to 15-6.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Jaedynn Evans: DS/LIB; 5' 7"; Sophomore

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

#4 Mallorie Koehn: OH; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#1 Lindsey Houran: S; 5' 8"; Freshman

#10 Lari Migliorino: MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#14 Sydney Huck: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#6 Jaedynn Evans
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS/LIB

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

#4 Mallorie Koehn
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: OH

#1 Lindsey Houran
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: S

#10 Lari Migliorino
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MB

#14 Sydney Huck
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH