Lady Bronchos Had a Rollercoaster Weekend of Games

The University of Central Oklahoma women’s Volleyball team went 1-1 this weekend, winning to Northwest Missouri Friday evening before losing to Missouri Western Saturday afternoon.

A season marked by injuries did not stop Lari Migliorino from delivering when No. 4 ranked Central Oklahoma needed her most Friday night. The senior middle blocker capped a dramatic rally with back-to-back kills to lift the Bronchos to a thrilling 15-13 fifth set victory over Northwest Missouri snapping the Bearcats 16 game win streak.

Central Oklahoma won the first two sets 25-23 and 25-18, but Northwest Missouri answered winning the third and fourth sets 25-20 and 25-13 to force a decisive fifth and final. Migliorino, who has appeared in just eight of 62 sets this season, delivered three late kills – her only three of the night – to ignite a five point run from being down 13-10 in favor of UCO. 

Coach Edgar praised Migliorino saying, “ Lari has not played much because of her injury  but when she got back she did not miss a beat with the team. She is getting close to being back to full strength and we need her.”

Sydney Huck dominated early, tallying nine kills in the opening set as UCO built a 17-9 lead before Northwest Missouri stormed back to tie at 22. Huck didn’t let that stop her though, as she closed out the set with back-to-back kills.

A hopeful start gave way to a tough Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Field House as Central Oklahoma fell to Missouri Western 3-1. The Bronchos took the first set 25-14 to gain control early on, but that would be the only set they would claim against Western. The Griffons took victory over the next three sets 25-22, 35-23, 25-15 to ultimately take the match.

Huck remained the focal point, recording a team high 15 kills and moving into 10th place on UCO’s career list with 1,312. 

Freshman Myla Unterweger and senior Kedron Burk each collected their personal bests on the season so far, with 11 kills a piece.

Lindsey Houran set a season-best 51 assists, while also adding 18 digs and two kills. Houran is currently second in all-time career assists for UCO with 4,752.  

The Bronchos are now 4-2 in conference play and 18-2 overall.

UCO travels for back-to-back matches next weekend, visiting Fort Hayes State Friday evening and No. 2 Nebraska Kearney Saturday afternoon as they continue to navigate a demanding schedule with injuries in the mix.