EDMOND – Oklahoma Baptist (4-5) had a tough night in about all facets as No. 25 (AVCA) Central Oklahoma (9-1) swept the green and gold inside Hamilton Field House. By game's end, UCO had held the Bison to 30 kills and a .143 attack mark, both season lows.
Key Leaders
- RS Jh'Kyah Head: Secured a team-high nine kills with a .438 attack mark.
- MB Jill Leslie: Added eight kills, 2.5 blocks and three digs.
- S Emily Boyer: Dished out 14 assists and added six digs.
- L Kaelyn Ina: Secured a team-high 11 digs.
First Set
Oklahoma Baptist got out to a 4-1 lead before the hosts scored 10 of the next 11. The last of those, an OBU attack error, gave the Bronchos an 11-5 lead. Despite that, the Bison, as they've shown a bit this season, had what it took to rally. Head responded for her team with a couple blocks and kills and over the next sequences tied the match at 17. Despite gaining some momentum, the Bison couldn't get in front. UCO scored four of the next five and later won 25-21. UCO's biggest advantage in the set were four aces.
Second Set
Nearly midway through the second, both teams traded blows. Head tied the set at 8-8 before Leslie's kill had the green and gold down 11-10. After a solid start, OBU's offense didn't keep pace and committed a few errors. With that, the Bronchos went in front. A 5-1 stretch was led by Mikiah Perdue who tallied a trio of kills and a block. Her efforts helped UCO attain a 16-11 advantage. Once more though, the Bison responded.
Emily Boyer passed to Head who finished off the connection for another kill, tying the set at 17. But like the first, the Bison could not overcome the hosts who scored four-straight. Those points came off two kills and two OBU errors.
Third Set
The 25th-ranked Broncos then sealed the deal in the third. They were very efficient offensively hitting .444 while limiting the green and gold to a .034 mark. At about the halfway point of the third,
Lauren Safrit's kill brought the tally to 14-10 UCO. That would be the last time the Bison got close as the Bronchos raced to the finish, winning 25-12. By the end, Jenna Karp had notched a match-high 11 kills with a .647 attack percentage.
On The Horizon
OBU will head to Rolla, Missouri on Sept. 14 and 15 to face Missouri S&T and Upper Iowa. That will close out non-conference play.
