No. 21-ranked Central Oklahoma opens a three-match Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association road swing this week with a trip to Nebraska and Kansas.
The Bronchos, 11-1 on the season and 2-0 in league play, trek to Kearny, Neb. Thursday for a 6 p.m. showdown with No. 10 Nebraska-Kearney (11-1, 1-1) before moving on to Hays, Kan. to take on Fort Hays State (6-5, 0-2) at 6 p.m. Friday.
"Every match is this league is tough, especially on the road," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "We know the challenge that faces us this week, but I think our team will be ready. We've played pretty well to this point and need to just keep working hard at getting better every week."
UCO goes back on the road next week for a Tuesday trip to Pittsburg State, then opens up a four-match MIAA homestand Sept. 29.
ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO opened conference play last week with home sweeps of Newman and Pittsburg State, stretching its winning streak to seven straight.
The Bronchos have prospered behind an extremely balanced offensive attack, with three players having between 113 and 123 kills to lead the way.
Sydney Huck has a team-high 123 kills to go along with 65 digs, while Addison Wimmer has 118 kills and 75 digs and Jenna Karp 113 kills and 23 blocks. Karp is hitting a league-leading .411, which ranks 12th in Division II.
Mallorie Koehn has chipped in 84 kills and a team-best 17 service aces, with Mikiah Perdue adding 66 kills and 23 blocks. Lindsey Houran has handed out 329 assists and Jaedynn Evans has 170 digs, a 6.07 per-set average that tops the MIAA and ranks fourth nationally.
UCO is hitting .264 as a team, second-best in the league.
ABOUT THE LOPERS: UNK suffered its first loss of the season last week at Washburn. The Lopers lead the MIAA in hitting percentage (.311), kills per set (14.87) and blocks (2.45/set).
Jaden Ferguson paces UNK with 113 kills and a .354 attack percentage. Asha Regier (96 kills) and Emerson Cyza (92) are also offensive leaders, while Peyton Neff leads the conference in assists with 414 (10.89/set).
The Lopers have a big 21-5 lead in the series with UCO and have won the last four meetings.
ABOUT THE TIGERS: FHSU dropped its first two conference matches of the season last week on the road.
The Tigers are led by Gracie Rains (113 kills), Riley Tinder (100 kills) and Emily Ellis (85 kills, 52 blocks).
The Bronchos own a 24-8 series lead over FHSU.
