OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Volleyball team has signed seven players for the 2023 season on National Signing Day: Olivia Tukuafu, Emily Huss, Bryn McNair, Anika Ivester, Ivy Leuck, Makayla Tiahrt, and Meghan Tiahrt.

Olivia Tukuafu

"I chose UNO because of the volleyball program and the community. I had visited multiple schools but was astounded by the environment the coaches have created of comradery and inclusiveness at Omaha. Every student I encountered, especially the team and coaching staff, was welcoming and kind. Even the faculty was very friendly which proves that Nebraska niceness is real. The facilities were impressive as well, especially the new Baxter center which I am so excited to play in. The city was beautiful and loved all it had to offer."

Tukuafu comes to us from Mesa, Arizona, where she is a four-year member of the Mountain View High School volleyball team which ranked 10th and 11th in the state during her final two seasons. She also played for the club team Aspire, which won the Arizona Regional Tournament last year.

"Olivia is very talented setter and a dynamic attacker. She also plays beach volleyball, so she will bring a lot of all-around skill to our gym," said Head Coach Matt Buttermore. "Additionally, her personality and leadership traits will be extremely important for our culture."

As a freshman, Tukuafo was named the team MVP of the JV squad. The next year, her first on the varsity team, she was named the team MVP, as well as the Regional Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Region, and 2nd team All-Conference. This year, she again earned team MVP honors, and won Regional Player of the Year for the second time in a row.

Emily Huss

"From the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew it was a place I could call HOME! The campus is beautiful, and the people are beyond amazing! I cant wait to be part of Omaha Volleyball!"

Huss is a Nebraska native, growing up in Fairbury and attending Fairbury Jr.-Sr. High School. There, she is a four-year member of the volleyball team, which won the Southern Nebraska Conference Championship and was C1 District Runner-Up in both her junior and senior years. Huss also played on the VCNebraska club team. 

"Emily is a great athlete who will be a difference-maker at the net in the middle. Her most immediate impact will be as a blocker, but she has a great work-ethic and in time will be a dynamic attacker," noted Buttermore.

In her sophomore season, Huss made the Southern Nebraska Conference Third Team. As a junior, she won several more accolades, including Lincoln Journal Star Honorable Mention Volleyball, Omaha World Herald Honorable Mention Volleyball, and Southern Nebraska Conference First Team Volleyball.

Bryn McNair

"I chose Omaha because the team was very accepting and felt like a family. The culture is upbeat and positive!"

McNair is another Nebraska native, coming from Imperial where she attended Chase County Schools. As a four-year member of their volleyball team, she helped them win the Conference Championship and Sub-District Championship as a freshman, as well as conference runner-up in her sophomore and senior years. This year, she led the team to another Conference Championship title. She also played for the NE Gold club team.

"Bryn is truly an all-around athlete who is just starting scrape the surface of her ability on the volleyball court. I'm excited to see how her toughness in track translates to being a tough Maverick on the court," added Buttermore.

McNair was named to the Conference First Team in each of her last three seasons, and also made All-State in kills her junior year.

Anika Ivester

"I chose Omaha because I love the atmosphere around the campus and the people you interact with. I'm so excited for volleyball because I can't wait to be a part of a team that has so much fun together and can't wait to play for Coach Buttermore. I'm so excited to be a Mav!"

Ivester will join the Mavericks from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At Xavier High School, she was a four-year member of the volleyball team, helping them to win the State Championship as a sophomore, while also winning the MVC in each of her first three years.

"Anika will be a force for us at the net, and I'm excited to see her continue to develop," exclaimed Buttermore. "She has championship experience, and that experience will pay great dividends as she grows in our program." 

In her sophomore season, Ivester broke the team blocking record with 126 on the year, earning her Second Team MVC and Honorable Mention All-Metro honors. The next season, she was named Honorable Mention All-Metro and Honorable Mention MVC, before finally making First Team All-metro and First Team All-MVC as a senior.

Ivy Leuck

"I chose Omaha because I really loved the environment, and everyone was so welcoming. 'Sko Mavs!"

Leuck was born and raised right here in Omaha, attending high school at Skutt Catholic where she was a four-year member of the volleyball team. While on the team, she helped them to three-straight State Championship titles in her first three seasons. Leuck's success also carried over to her club team, Premier Nebraska, which won nationals in her first season

"Ivy is another very talented setter, very good defender, and a tough competitor. She also brings a lot of championship experience and has played a high level of club and high school ball here in Omaha," remarked Buttermore.

Leuck had an outstanding junior year, culminating in her being named Omaha World Herald Class B Second Team, Omaha World Herald All-Omaha Area Second Team, Lincoln Journal Star All-State Class B Honorable Mention, and All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Makayla Tiahrt

"I chose UNO because of the the coaching staff. From the beginning of the recruitment process, they were so forward and complimenting. They valued the aspect of having fun within the sport of volleyball. Another reason for choosing UNO is its beautiful campus and the family-based community the school has built its foundation on. Additionally, Omaha is not far from home that way my family can come and support the team. Go Mavericks!"

One half of the Tiahrt twins, Makayla is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she attended O'Gorman High School. A three-year team member, she was a part of their undefeated, State Championship winning season as a sophomore. The next year, she again played an important role in helping the team win its second-consecutive State Championship. Tiahrt also helped her club team, Kairos Elite Volleyball, win the AAU National Championships. 

"Makayla is a hard-working player and gritty defender. She's another recruit in this class with championship-level experience, she will be a great addition to our passing and back-row defense," stated Buttermore.

Meghan Tiahrt

"When I first walked onto campus, I knew Omaha was the place for me. The family culture and great environment definitely caught my eye. Additionally, the Omaha Volleyball coaching staff stood out to me above all other universities in the recruitment process. Another reason was the vibrant city and location. It's the perfect place to call my new home. I am excited to be a Maverick! Everyone for Omaha! Go Mavs!"

The other half of the Tiahrt twins, Meghan also attended O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Likewise, as a three-year team member, she was a part of their back-to-back championship seasons as a sophomore and junior. Tiahrt also played for Kairos Elite Volleyball and was there for the AAU National Championships victory.

"Meghan has experience as an attacker that will serve her well as a passer and back-row defender in our gym," explained Buttermore. "She has a great platform and work-ethic, and I'm excited to see her develop."