UCO Tops Jennies With Dramatic Comeback

JOPLIN, Mo. – Sawyer Franz keyed a thrilling fifth-set comeback that lifted Central Oklahoma to an amazing Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association victory over Central Missouri Saturday afternoon.

The No. 13-ranked and undefeated Bronchos appeared in dire straits after dropping the first two sets 25-21, 25-20, but managed to even things by rolling to easy 25-17, 25-10 wins in the next two.

And then the Mules went up 9-5 in the deciding fifth set. But Franz ignited a 5-0 run with a kill, joined Mikiah Perdue for a block and followed a Mikaela Garvin kill with one of her one to tie it.

Lindsey Houran's service ace gave UCO its first let of the set, then the Bronchos completed the comeback with five unanswered points. Katie Le's kill off a dig started it, UCM made an attack error, Perdue had assisted blocks with Garvin and Sydney Huck and then Garvin capped the 15-10 win with a kill.

"What a match," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "We really struggled at the start and Central Missouri took it to us, but I'm so proud of my team for the way they responded. We didn't give up and kept battling. It was a great win for us, especially on the road."

The Bronchos remained perfect at 17-0 to continue the best start in school history while improving to 4-0 in league play. UCO is back on the road next week with matches at Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western.

Garvin led the team, hitting a sizzling .441 with 16 kills and just one error in 34 attacks to go along with three assisted blocks. Huck ended up with 14 kills, 14 digs and two blocks.

UCO also got 11 kills from Jenna Krap, seven from Franz and six from Lari Migliorino. Franz hit .368 with no miscues in 19 attacks to go with two assisted blocks. Houran finished with 49 assists and 10 digs, Le added 16 digs and a pair of service aces and Kaitlyn Parrott had 11 digs with two aces.

The Jennies used late rallies to take the first two sets and put Central on the ropes, but the Bronchos responded.

Karp's kill broke an 8-8 tie in the third set, then teamed with Franz for a block to but the Bronchos on top for good in what turned out to be a 25-17 win.

UCO then dominated the fourth set. Central Missouri scored the first point before kills by Franz, Riley Roberts and Purdue along with a Jennie attack error made it 4-1. The Bronchos pulled away from there to tie the match and then finished off the dramatic comeback.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#2 Katie Le: DS/L; 5' 3"; Senior

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

#9 Kaitlyn Parrott: DS/L; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#15 Mikiah Perdue: MB; 5' 9"; Junior

#11 Riley Roberts: S; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#6 Sawyer Franz: OH; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#21 Mikaela Garvin: OH; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

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

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

#2 Katie Le
: 5' 3"; Senior
: DS/L

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

#9 Kaitlyn Parrott
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: DS/L

#15 Mikiah Perdue
: 5' 9"; Junior
: MB

#11 Riley Roberts
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: S

#6 Sawyer Franz
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: OH

#21 Mikaela Garvin
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: OH