LINCOLN, Neb. - The Mavericks closed the Ameritas Players Challenge with a 3-1 win over Georgia Saturday afternoon. Marriah Buss, Sadie Limback, and Rachel Fairbanks all tallied double figure kills on the day.

With the win, Omaha improves to 2-3.

How it Happened

• Georgia held a small lead to start the first set after opening with a 3-0 run. A service ace from Fairbanks gave the Mavericks their first lead of the match at 8-7. The Bulldogs tied it on the next serve, but Omaha responded with a 5-0 run and never looked back. Buss recorded a kill and Kenedy Schaecher an ace in the run. Rylee Marshall and Buss tallied back-to-back kills making it set point for Omaha. Sami Clarkson clinched the set with a kill. Mavericks win, 25-17.
• Set two opened with five lead changes and four ties as the teams battled. Limback sparked a 3-0 run with a kill to separate the Mavericks. Kills from Mackenzie Norris brought the Bulldogs within one of the Mavericks twice late in the set. Limback then went on a 3-1 run for Omaha helping them to a 23-20 lead. Buss captured the second set with a kill to give Omaha a 2-0 lead.
• Much like the second set, the third set with both teams trading points to get started. Georgia went on a four-point tear midway through to edge the Mavericks 12-9 and take the lead. Omaha stayed within three points of the Bulldogs until a Fairbanks ace and a Georgia attack error knotted the set 16-16. Kacie Evans sparked a 5-1 run for the Bulldogs as they pulled away for a 25-22 set three win.
• In set four, neither team took more than a two-point lead until a Limback attack error gave the Bulldogs a 23-20 edge. Limback responded with a kill for the next point, which sparked a 3-0 run to knot the set 23-23. Kills from Georgia's Evans and Omaha's Fairbanks made it 24-24, while kills from Abby Plouzek and Amber Stivrins made it 27-27. Two Georgia attack errors to end the match gave Omaha a 3-1 win over the Bulldogs.

Inside the Box Score

• Buss led Omaha and notched a new career-best 16 kills.
• Limback added 15 kills, while Fairbanks recorded 12.
• Claire Mountjoy led Omaha with 26 digs.
• Clarkson finished with a match-leading 46 assists.
• Fairbanks, Mountjoy, and Jaiden Centeno each tallied two services aces for Omaha.
• The win vs. Georgia marked the fourth time the Mavericks have beaten a power five school in the Division I era. The last being Clemson in 2019.

Up Next
The Mavericks return to Omaha to play in the Bluejay Invitational hosted by Creighton. The invite kicks off Friday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 am with a match vs. Illinois.