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SAWYER FRANZ
Sawyer Franz
3
Winner Central Okla. CentOK 17-5,4-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
0
Mo. Southern St. MSSU 7-13,2-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Central Okla. CentOK
17-5,4-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
3
Final
0
Mo. Southern St. MSSU
7-13,2-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Central Okla. CentOK 25 25 25 (3)
Mo. Southern St. MSSU 23 21 20 (0)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Franz Fuels Bronchos in Win Over Missouri Southern

No. 25-ranked UCO Sweeps Lions for Seventh Straight Win

JOPLIN, Missouri – Sawyer Franz knocked down four of her match-high 13 kills down the stretch of the third set to spark Central Oklahoma's sweep of host Missouri Southern Friday night on the final day of the MIAA In-Season Tournament. 
 
The No. 25-ranked Bronchos overcame four-point deficits in both the first and third sets in downing the Lions 25-23, 25-21, 25-20 for their seventh win in a row, including the fifth sweep. UCO is now 17-5 for the season. 
 
"Sawyer gave us a big lift tonight and it's good to see her back on the court," said head coach Edgar Miraku of Franz, who was playing in just her fifth match of the season after suffering an August injury. "It was a tough match and we had to work for everything we got, but the girls found a way to get it done." 
 
Franz had just two total kills in her first three matches after returning from injury two weeks ago before contributing seven in Thursday's four-set victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith. The senior outside hitter followed with one of the best outings of her three-year UCO career against the Lions, hitting .333 with 13 kills and four errors in 27 attacks. 
 
Four of Franz's kills came in the final stages of the third set as the Bronchos overcame a late 18-16 deficit with a closing 9-2 run. The first of those tied the match at 19 and she had three straight during one stretch as UCO pulled away to the 25-20 win that ended the match. 
 
The Bronchos also got 11 kills from Georgia Ahlert and 10 from Caroline Clayton. Ahlert hit .455 with just one error in 22 attempts in her 17th double-digit kill outing of the season, including the third straight. 
 
Taylor Fenton chipped in six kills and three assisted blocks, while Kate Wells also had three assisted blocks with two kills. Riley Roberts handed out 39 assists to go along with five digs, with Morgan Manning's 25 digs leading the back row defensive efforts. 
 
Ahlert started the match with back-to-back kills in the opening set to stake UCO to a quick lead and it was an 11-8 advantage after Clayton delivered consecutive kills. The Lions came roaring back to take a 16-14 lead and extended it to 20-16 before the Bronchos answered. 
 
Two more Clayton kills helped UCO get within 20-19, but Missouri Southern stayed in front and eventually went up 23-21. The Bronchos then scored the final four points to take the set, getting two kills from Franz along with a combined block by Fenton and Wells. 
 
UCO never trailed in the second set after jumping on top 6-1, although the Lions came back to tie it at 16 and again at 17. But the Bronchos finished strong once again. 
 
Franz's kill put UCO on top for good at 18-17, then Fenton followed an MSSU error with back-to-back kills to make it 21-17. It was a 22-20 lead before the Bronchos scored the final three points, getting two kills from Ahlert along with a Lion error. 
 
Missouri Southern led 15-11 in the third set and was still ahead 18-16 before Franz's late surge enabled Central to close out the match. 
 
The Bronchos return to Edmond next week for their final two home matches, hosting Fort Hays State Friday on Senior Night and No. 5-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Saturday.
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