From UCO Sports
Mike Kirk
EDMOND – What was expected to be a showdown between two NCAA Division II powers instead turned into a runaway for Central Oklahoma Saturday night at Hamilton Field House as the No. 11-ranked Bronchos overwhelmed No. 14 Washburn.
UCO overcame a late four-point deficit in pulling out a 25-22 first-set win, never trailed in taking the second set 25-18 and completed its 20th sweep of the season – including all 12 home matches – with a 25-19 triumph.
The Bronchos improved to 23-2 overall and 9-2 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play while the Ichabods had a 10-match winning streak snapped in falling 20-5 and 10-2.
“I was proud of the way we battled tonight and that was a big win against a great team,” head coach Edgar Miraku said. “We got off to a shaky start, but made a good comeback in getting the first set and that gave us a big boost.”
Sophomore standout Taylor Bevis was the driving force for UCO’s offense, knocking down 20 kills with a .311 hitting percentage in addition to making a team-high 16 digs and getting two blocks.
Fulani Petties had nine kills and three assisted blocks, while Jordan Spence added eight kills and Alexis Washington six. Katy Davis handed out 43 assists, Dominique Lipari contributed 12 digs and Bonnie Vernon had eight digs along with a service ace.
Washburn had the Bronchos on the ropes in the first set after taking an 18-14 lead, but two kills by Bevis and another by Spence keyed a 5-1 run that tied it at 19-all. UCO finally took the lead for good at 22-21 on a WU hitting error and Bevis had two more kills in finishing off the comeback.
Two spikes from Bevis and another by Spence made it 3-0 quickly in the second set and the Bronchos never trailed. The Ichabods were within striking range at 19-16 before Petties’ emphatic shot down the middle sparked a 4-0 spurt that put it away.
The third set went back-and-forth early before Washington had two kills in a 6-1 run that turned a 5-5 tie into an 11-6 lead. UCO went on to take a 17-8 advantage and coasted in from there to complete the sweep.
The Bronchos finish up the regular season home schedule next weekend, hosting Central Missouri and Lindenwood.