OMAHA, Neb. - After eight consecutive wins spanning almost an entire month, the Mavericks were finally stopped Saturday afternoon when the University of South Dakota bested them 3-1 at Baxter Arena. Omaha officially ends its incredible run with the second longest winning streak in the program's Division I history, which also included the third longest sweep streak (six matches) in the team's entire history.
The Mavericks now find themselves in third place in the Summit League at 13-8 overall and 8-3 in the conference. The Coyotes, meanwhile, will remain in first place at 20-2 overall and 9-1 in league play.
Today's match was also notable for having the fourth highest attendance in a regular season conference match in recorded Summit League history at 1622 people.
Set By Set (22-25, 25-20, 20-25, 23-25)
- After Shayla McCormick notched an early kill and a service ace to give the Mavericks a 3-1 lead to open set one, the Coyotes came back and scored four straight points to permanently come out ahead. Omaha managed to prevent South Dakota from ever getting too far out of reach, with Marriah Buss, Mariah Murdie, and McKenna Ruch combining for nine kills and three blocks in the set. Buss and Murdie even got Omaha within one of South Dakota at 22-23, but unfortunately the Coyotes shutdown the comeback attempt with a kill and a block to take set one.
- Set two was all Omaha, as the Mavericks prevented South Dakota from ever holding a lead. McCormick again got Omaha on the board with the team's first kill of the set, before picking up three more along with another ace later on. Buss would lead all Mavericks in set two with six kills, with Kali Jurgensmeier right behind her with four kills and a block.
- Despite striking first on an opening kill from Jurgensmeier, momentum swung back in South Dakota's favor during set three, as the Coyotes quickly retook the lead and held it for the remainder of the set. The Mavericks did have a late surge as they scored three in a row on kills from Murdie and Jurgensmeier, as well as a Coyote attack error, to make it a three-point set at 20-23. Again, though, the Coyotes ended Omaha's hopes of a comeback with back-to-back blocks to win the set.
- Set four proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon, with both teams remaining tied all the way to 20-20. The set began with each team scoring one after the other until it was 6-6, at which point a kill from McCormick and a Sami Clarkson ace broke the tie and gave Omaha the lead. Later, after the Coyotes came back out front 12-10, Omaha scored five in a row, with Rachel Fairbanks picking up the last three points on a kill and two blocks. Eventually, with the set tied at 20-20, South Dakota would score four of the next five to reach match point. Down 24-21, another kill from Buss along with a service ace by Olivia Curry opened the door for Omaha to retake the lead, but it was too late as USD got one last kill to finish off the Mavericks.
Inside the Box Score
- Despite losing, the Mavericks still managed to top the Coyotes in total points (74-71), kills (62-59), aces (4-3), and assists (56-54)
- For the fifth time this season, McCormick (15), Buss (12), Jurgensmeier (12), and Ruch (11) all recorded double-digit kills. McCormick also earned her 12th double-double of the season thanks to also having 11 digs on the day.
- Clarkson and Curry combined for 53 total assists, tying the mark they set against Western Illinois (9/29) for the most they have had since they began splitting time as setter.
Up Next
The Mavericks will be back on the road next week as they head to St. Paul, Minnesota to take on St. Thomas on Thursday at 7 p.m. Then, the team will travel to Macomb, Illinois for a match with Western Illinois on Saturday at 12 p.m.
