DENTON, Texas - The UT Dallas volleyball team opened the Denton Volleyfest at Kitty Magee Arena by nearly upsetting #15 Central Oklahoma Thursday afternoon. The Comets (2-2) had two chances at match point, but the Bronchos (4-2) held off for a 25-20, 20-25, 25-27, 20-25, 16-14 victory.
The match was virtually even throughout, with a total of 31 ties and 17 lead changes.
UTD led 18-16 in the first set, before UCO took control with a 6-0 run and won the opener by five. The Comets turned the tables on the Bronchos in set two by outscoring the ranked squad 12-6 down the stretch and knotting up the sets at one apiece.
UT Dallas overcame a 20-16 deficit in the third and won 27-25. Outside hitter
Jane Burkhardt recorded four kills down the stretch for the Comets.
UCO forced the decisive final set by ending the fourth frame on a 6-1 run after being tied at 19-19.
The final set was another wild battle. The Bronchos looked to win easily with a 12-7 advantage. The Comets rattled off the next seven points, including a pair of kills by
Lashae Goffney, two from
Jane Burkhardt, one from
Laura See and an ace by
Sydney Sabin. UCO fought off two match points, scoring the final four of the match. Kate Wells recorded two kills, including the final of the match.
UTD hit .180 with 64 kills, five aces, seven blocks and 83 digs during the match. UCO hit .212 on 62 kills, seven aces, nine blocks and 71 digs.
UT Dallas Notes
- Setter/right side
Scarlette Young recorded the first triple-double in program history since 2006 and 19th overall. She posted 14 kills, 10 assists and 15 digs.
- Burkhardt finished with 23 kills and eight digs.
- Goffney posted a career-best eight kills and added a pair of blocks.
- See had seven kills and three blocks.
-
Addison Schnautz also recorded seven kills.
- Setter
Abby Gentner had a double-double of 20 assists and 19 digs.
- Libero
Avery Gray posted 21 digs and 10 aces for her first collegiate double-double.
- Sabin added 11 digs and three aces.
Central Oklahoma Notes
- Georgia Ahlert and Wells led the Bronchos with 13 kills each. Wells also had six total blocks.
- Taylor Fenton added 11 kills.
- Riley Roberts recorded six kills, 30 assists and 17 digs.
- Kaitlyn Parrott had three aces and 22 digs.
Up Next
UTD will continue the Denton Volleyfest on Friday with Southern Arkansas at 9 a.m. and Southern Nazarene at 1 p.m.
