UNK Volleyball Falls Short In MIAA Tournament Championship
The ninth-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos fought off five set points in set two and another one in set three to beat third-ranked Nebraska Kearney (18-25, -29, -24, -16) Saturday night in the MIAA Tournament finals in St. Joseph, Mo.
The 'Chos (30-2) win its first-ever MIAA Tournament title while the Lopers (30-2) finish runner up for a third straight year. UCO handed UNK its lone regular season loss back in October and has taken the last three meetings between the two.
Things stated off on the right foot as the Lopers never trailed in the first set as they hit .371 (14-1-35) while UCO had seven attack errors (four unforced and three blocked). Leading the way for UNK was Kansas senior outside Asha Regier and Missouri sophomore middle Mia Berg who combined for 11 kills over 21 swings.
The squads then threw haymaker after haymaker in set two as the 'Chos amassed 26 kills and the Lopers 24. Down 19-14, 21-17 and 22-20, UNK not only tied things up but reached set point five different times. On Friday night, UCO rallied from a 13-11 deficit to beat Missouri Western in the fifth set. They showed that Moxy again as they fought off each point and then scored the last two. Jenna Karp made it 30-29 with a kill and then Lari Migliorino and Lindsey Houran combined on a block.
It was a similar story in set three but with UCO remaining hot (22 kills, .264 pct.) and UNK beginning to cool off. The Lopers mustered just 12 kills and hit only .157 but still managed to erase a 22-18 hole. A 5-0 spurt was capped by an unforced 'Chos error. However, they closed on a 4-1 run with another combined block ending things
"We had to win at least one of those two and really should've won both of them," said UNK head coach Rick Squiers. "We couldn't get a stop and some of that's them. They are good, they are smart, have seniors that know how to make plays and have a good setter."
UCO then dominated the fourth as they hit .409 (19-1-44) with UNK not warming up until late and coming in at .143 (13-6-49). In addition to their firepower, the 'Chos had four team blocks in the set.
"So many times this year we've made that play at the right time, but we could just not make one especially in the second set," said Squiers. "The opportunities were there and to our girls credit we continued to battle in the third and had another one (set point). But we just couldn't find a way to get a stop. Their right side tore us apart."
MIAA Player of the Year Addison Wimmer showed why to the tune of 20 kills, 11 digs, four blocks and a .306 efficiency. From the right side, lefty senior transfer Mikaela Garvin went off to the tune of 23 kills and a .625 percentage with three others reaching a double digit kill total. Defensively, UCO had five different players reach 11 digs.
Regier continued another late season surge by having 17 kills, nine digs and two blocks. This is her 10th straight match with a double digit kill total. Next, Kansas junior outside Emilee Lane was at 16 kills and a .292 percentage with Berg at 15 kills, a .306 efficiency and a team-best six blocks. Finally, Michigan grad libero Alli Wiese had a match-high 21 digs.
"This one hurts but we still have a good team and will be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament," said Squiers.
The NCAA Tournament selection show will air Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at www.ncaa.com. UNK is set to make its 25th consecutive appearance.
All-Tournament Team
Kyha Luhring – Northwest Missouri
Emily Loy – Missouri Western
Nessa Johnson – Missouri Western
Holly Heldt – Missouri Western
Mia Berg – Nebraska Kearney
Asha Regier – Nebraska Kearney
Peyton Neff – Nebraska Kearney
Emilee Lane – Nebraska Kearney
Jenna Karp – Central Oklahoma
Lara Migliorino – Central Oklahoma
Lindsay Houran – Central Oklahoma
Addison Wimmer – Central Oklahoma