Boxscore -- UNO 3, Newman 0
Boxscore -- Northern State 3, UNO 2

OMAHA, Neb. – The UNO volleyball team kicked off its 2010 season with a win over Newman and a close loss to Northern State on Friday at the two-day UNO Showcase at Sapp Fieldhouse. The Mavericks are now 1-1 on the season heading into Saturday's tournament finale with Midwestern State and Arkansas-Fort Smith, while Northern State improved to 1-1.

In the morning match with the Jets, Nebraska-Omaha was challenged by NU but came out with a 3-0 victory, 25-21, 25-22, 25-23.

The nightcap proved to be a thriller with Northern State, as the Wolves took the match to five games – 17-25, 25-21, 12-25, 25-22, 15-13.

Three Mavericks reached double figures in kills, with sophomore outside hitter Natalie Ebke (16), junior middle blocker Lizzy Mach (14) and senior outside hitter Kayla Uhing (10). Uhing began her senior campaign with a bang, notching her first double-double of the year with her 10 kills and 14 digs. In addition, Mach hit at a clip of .565 for the evening and totaled four service aces to lead the Mavs.

Defensively, junior middle blocker Brittany Hansen tallied seven blocks, and junior libero Angie Reicks finished with 25 digs. Junior setter Emily Myers racked up 51 set assists, guiding the Maverick offensive attack to near-perfect hitting performances in the first (.522) and third (.619) games.

UNO returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 4, facing Midwestern State at 11:45 a.m. and Arkansas-Fort Smith at 6:30 p.m.