Bronchos Set to Host MIAA/GAC Crossover

UCO Will Play Four Matches in Three Days at Hamilton Field House

EDMOND – No. 22 Central Oklahoma finally makes its home debut after nine straight road matches this week when the Bronchos host the three-day MIAA/GAC Crossover at Hamilton Field House.

UCO is 6-3 on the season and will play four matches this week, three against teams from the Great American Conference along with a non-conference contest against upstart MIAA program Northeastern State.

The Bronchos open against Southeastern Oklahoma (4-4) at 12:30 p.m. Thursday and take on NSU (1-7) at 6 p.m. UCO returns Friday to face East Central (4-4) at 6 p.m. before finishing against Ouachita Baptist (4-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"We're excited to play on our home court," head coach Edgar Miraku said. "It's been a long couple of weeks on the road and it will be nice to sleep in our own beds.

"We've been up-and-down so far, but I like the attitude of our team. They're working hard and everyone is eager to get better."

The Bronchos have enjoyed remarkable success at Hamilton Field House with an all-time record of 351-106 at home, including a stellar 144-32 mark during Miraku's 13-year tenure.

The Bronchos go back on the road to open MIAA play next week, traveling to Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western for back-to-back matches.

UCO went 3-2 last week, dropping a mid-week contest at Oklahoma Baptist before going 3-1 at the Denton Volleyfest at Texas Woman's. The lone loss there came against the host Pioneers, with the Bronchos claiming two sweeps along with a five-set win.

Five players have 50-plus kills to lead Central's balanced offensive attack.

Sophomore Georgia Ahlert has had double-digit kills in seven of nine matches and tops the team with 93 kills to go along with 10 blocks (five solo, five assisted). Sophomore Myla Unterweger is next with 83 kills while having also collected 50 digs and 12 blocks (11 assisted, one solo).

Freshman Kate Wells gotten off to a great start for the Bronchos with 75 kills and 41 blocks (32 assisted, nine solo). Sophomore Caroline Clayton (58 kills) and rookie Taylor Fenton (52) round out UCO's top offensive threats.

Versatile senior Riley Roberts has done a little bit of everything for the Bronchos. She leads the team with 250 assists to go along with 83 digs, 25 kills and 14 blocks (12 assisted, two solo).

Senior All-American Kaitlyn Parrott spearheads the back row defense and has piled up 150 digs. Sophomores Morgan Manning (87 digs) and Jordyn Baker (67) have also been key defenders.

Southeastern Oklahoma, East Central and Ouachita Baptist are all members of the Great American Conference, while Northeastern State is a first-year program in the MIAA.

SOSU is led by Gabby Jones (101 kills, 98 digs) and Rylee Jackson (86 kills). UCO has a 35-2 series lead over the Savage Storm from Durant.

NSU is paced by Poliana Lazarini (54 kills, 51 digs) and Ashlyn Tag (42 kills). The first-ever meeting between the Bronchos and RiverHawks doesn't count in the league standings, with the regular season MIAA contest set for Nov. 5 in Tahlequah.

ECU is led by Addison Iman (83 kills, 15 blocks) and Reagan Huchinson (61 kills, 46 digs). UCO owns a 20-2 series advantage over the Tigers from Ada.

Sophie Henry (82 kills, 20 blocks) and Kailey Thedford (65 kills) top OBU. The Bronchos have a 15-1 series lead over the Tigers from Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Jordyn Baker: DS; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#21 Morgan Manning: DS; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#9 Kaitlyn Parrott: L; 5' 5"; Senior

#11 Riley Roberts: S/RS; 5' 10"; Senior

#16 Myla Unterweger: OH/RS; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#15 Georgia Ahlert: MB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#5 Caroline Clayton: OH/RS; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#3 Taylor Fenton: MB/RS; 5' 11"; Freshman

#10 Kate Wells: MB/RS; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Jordyn Baker
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS

#21 Morgan Manning
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: DS

#9 Kaitlyn Parrott
: 5' 5"; Senior
: L

#11 Riley Roberts
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S/RS

#16 Myla Unterweger
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: OH/RS

#15 Georgia Ahlert
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB

#5 Caroline Clayton
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: OH/RS

#3 Taylor Fenton
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MB/RS

#10 Kate Wells
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MB/RS