No. 2 Bronchos Open MIAA Play On The Road This Weekend

Unbeaten UCO travels to Newman and Pittsburg State For Back-to-Back Matches

WICHITA, Kan. – Unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Central Oklahoma opens Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play this weekend when the Bronchos head to Kansas for a pair of matches.

UCO, 14-0 on the season, goes to Wichita to face Newman (2-9) at 6 p.m. Friday before moving on to Pittsburg to take on Pittsburg State (6-4) at 2 p.m. Saturday.

"We're in the toughest conference in the country so every match is going to be a challenge, especially on the road," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "We've played well to this point, but we have to step up our game now."

The Bronchos return home after this weekend for a four-match league homestand, starting with an Oct. 2 meeting against Missouri Southern.

UCO finished runner-up to Nebraska-Kearney in last year's conference standings before beating the Lopers in the MIAA Championship finals.

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO has recorded 12 sweeps in its 14-0 start, having dropped just two sets. The Bronchos went 5-0 at home last week, beating Texas Woman's on Tuesday before sweeping four matches in the MIAA/GAC Crossover Challenge. The Bronchos have

Senior Mikiah Perdue was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight time after registering 16 blocks (six solo, 10 assisted) while also hitting .303 with 57 kills (3.35/set). Senior Lindsey Houran handed out 177 assists (11.06/set) to nab Setter of the Week honors.

UCO ranks in the top 15 nationally in nine categories – second in total digs (923), second in digs/set (20.98), fourth in total assists (581), fourth in total kills (631), seventh in attacks/set (40.25), ninth in total attacks (1,771), 11th in kills/set (14.34), 11th in opponent hitting percentage (.103) and 12th in assists/set (13.2).

Individually, junior libero Kaitlyn Parrott is third in digs/set (6.0) and fourth in total digs (264), having had 20-plus digs in six matches with a high of 30. Houran ranks third in total assists (465) and sixth in assists/set (11.34), while freshman Kamryn Glover is third in total attacks (486) and 15th in attacks/set (11.57).

Houran is fourth on UCO's career list for assists with 4,357 and needs just 76 more to move into third place.

Glover leads Central's balanced offensive attack with 137 kills (3.26/set). The rookie also tops the team in service aces (20) and has 17 total blocks.

Perdue is hitting .316 with 132 kills (3.0/set) and has been a big force at the net with 45 total blocks (18 solo, 27 assisted). Senior Kedron Burk is also over the century mark in kills with 124 (2.82/set) while hitting .305 and has 28 blocks (14 solo, 14 assisted).

Senior Sydney Huck is rounding into form after missing several matches early and has 87 kills. She has 1,220 career kills, needing 88 more to move into 10th place on UCO's all-time list.

ABOUT NEWMAN: The Jets have lost six straight matches heading into Friday's home meeting with the Bronchos.

The Jets are paced by Isabella Lamb, who is hitting .325 with 102 kills (2.68/set) to go with 26 total blocks. Sky Miller has 101 kills (2.81/set) and 16 aces, while Hannah Tymitz has 96 kills (2.46/set).

UCO has dominated the series, owning a 17-1 lead with a 15-match winning streak.

ABOUT PITTSBURG STATE: The Gorillas host Arkansas-Fort Smith Friday night before hosting UCO and are 5-2 at home this season.

Maliyah Johnson leads PSU with 113 kills (2.97/set) and a solid .273 attack percentage along with 28 blocks. Vix Vilott has 96 kills (2.59/set), 17 aces and 14 blocks, while Maddi LaPointe has 64 kills (1.68/set) with 28 blocks.

The Bronchos have a 27-8 lead in the series and have won the last four meetings.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#3 Kedron Burk: MB; 6' 2"; Senior

#7 Kamryn Glover: OH/RS; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#3 Kedron Burk
: 6' 2"; Senior
: MB

#7 Kamryn Glover
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: OH/RS