And We're Off!

A week into the new sports year and here's what we know.

• UCO's volleyball team is resilient. The Bronchos, relying heavily on a sophomore transfer at setter and several true freshmen at key positions, have bounced back from a season-opening loss to win four straight. And two of those have been down-to-the-wire five-set marathons, winning one of those 20-18 and the other 16-14. Rookies Jordan Jacobs and Juliette Smith have shined.

• UCO's football team has some impressive young talent. The Bronchos played 14 freshmen -- seven true and seven redshirt -- in last week's 31-10 road loss to No. 6 North Alabama and four of those really stood out. Wide receivers Christian Hood and Steve Caldwell were fearless in catching a combined 17 passes against a mean UNA defense, while defensive lineman Tyler Newton and linebacker Terry Williamson both made a series of big plays.

• UCO's soccer team is struggling. The Bronchos have scored just one goal in losing their first three games of the season for just the second time in school history and were completely whipped in Wednesday's home-opening loss to Abilene Christian. But something else I also know . . . there's too much talent on this team and Mike Cook is too good a coach for that trend to continue.

• UCO's cross country squad is ready to get started. Coach J.D. Martin's crew finally opens its season Saturday when the Bronchos host the UCO Land Run at Mitch Park in Edmond. Four runners are back from last year, an injury-plagued senior is ready to go and a pair of newcomers look to make an impact.

• Two of our sports that basically have two seasons -- fall and spring -- are also eager to get going. The men's and women's golf teams will open their fall campaigns next Monday and Tuesday, with new coach Pat Bates taking a loaded men's team to a tournament in Abilene, Texas while women's skipper Michael Bond and his youthful squad travel to Dallas.