Women's Volleyball 9/26/2024 7:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

No. 13 Central Oklahoma Hosts Newman, Pitt State

Bronchos Open MIAA Play With Two Home Matches

EDMOND – No. 13 Central Oklahoma enters MIAA play this weekend when the Bronchos host Newman and Pittsburg State in a pair of league contests at Hamilton Field House.

First serve Friday against Newman is scheduled for 6 p.m. and first serve Saturday against Pittsburg State is scheduled for 2 p.m.

"We had a good non-conference start, but we know the toughest part is front of us," UCO head volleyball coach Edgar Miraku said. "Every game in this league is tough and you have to bring it every night. We've got two good opponents this weekend and we're ready to see how we do."

The Bronchos are 13-0 on the season following the non-conference portion of its 2024 schedule. UCO is 4-0 inside Hamilton, making their debut last weekend with a perfect record against in-state rivals Southwestern, OBU, East Central, and Southeastern.

Newman, which was also in Edmond last weekend for the MIAA/GAC Crossover, is 2-11on the season following non-conference play. Pittsburg State is 5-5 on the season and will play at new league member Arkansas Fort Smith on Friday before coming to Edmond.

For the Bronchos, the perfect start is thanks to a well-balanced effort on both offense and defense. Central Oklahoma ranks third in the country in kills per set (15.0) and total assists (618), fifth in assists per set (14.0), sixth in total kills (661), and seventh in hitting percentage (.296).

Lindsey Houran sets the way for the offense. The junior setter from Colleyville, Texas has 481 assists in 13 matches (43 sets played) and is averaging 11.19 assists per set. She ranks eighth nationally in total assists through three weeks of play and is also 13th in the country in assists per set.

Houran has 2,927 career assists, which ranks sixth in school history at UCO. She aims to become the sixth player ever with 3,000 career assists.

To Houran's benefit, Central has several options to set the attack.

Addison Wimmer leads the team with 133 kills in 13 matches played. The senior from Yukon, Oklahoma has played in 42 sets and averages 3.17 kills per set.

Jenna Karp is at 126 kills in 11 matches played – 37 sets. The senior from Spring, Texas averages a team-high 3.41 kills per set. Karp's .469 hitting percentage also ranks No. 6 in the country after three weeks.

Sydney Huck gives UCO three with more than 100 kills through three weeks of the new year. The junior from McKinney, Texas has 122 in 36 sets played, and average of 3.39 kills per set.

Mikaela Garvin doesn't have 100 kills yet, but the graduate transfer from Eastern New Mexico has 99 kills in 39 sets (2.54/set).

On the defensive end of the floor, Katie Le has a team-high 210 digs through 13 matches and the senior from Mansfield, Texas has played in all 44 sets this season. Le averages 4.77 digs per set, which is Top 50 in the country. Houran has also been key on defense and is second on the team with 121 digs (2.81/set), and Riley Roberts adds 103 total digs (2.51/set).

At the net, Karp leads the way with 33 total blocks (0.89/set). Garvin adds 29 blocks and Mikiah Perdue has 28, with Lari Migliorino adding 25 herself. Perdue has a team-high eight solo blocks on the year.

Central Oklahoma spent the first two weeks of the season on the road before a two-week homestand. UCO will keep with the trend and hit the road for the next two weeks in MIAA play. The Bronchos play at Missouri Southern and (RV) Central Missouri next weekend and at Northwest Missouri and (RV) Missouri Western the following weekend. Central Oklahoma returns home Oct. 17 & 19 against Fort Hays State and No. 3 Nebraska Kearney.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#3 Addison Wimmer: OH; 5' 10"; Senior

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#3 Addison Wimmer
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH

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