OMAHA, Neb. - Playing in their season home opener, the Mavericks outlasted Wichita State University to win 3-1 at Baxter Arena in day one of the MH Hospitality Omaha Challenge.

Omaha is now 3-1 to start the year, while the Shockers fall to 2-2. This win marks the first time the Mavericks have ever beaten Wichita State in the regular season, and is their first victory over the Shockers since moving to Division 1.

Set by Set (25-22, 26-24, 18-25, 25-19)

• Set one perfectly set the stage for how close tonight's match would be. Neither team held a lead of more than four points as each went on multiple scoring runs of at least three points. Seven different Mavericks recorded a kill in set one, with Shayla McCormick leading the way with six kills, followed by Marriah Buss and Kali Jurgensmeier with three each. Tied at 21-21, Omaha took four of the next five points as McCormick and Jurgensmeier each scored two kills. 
• Halfway through set two, things were virtually even as Omaha held a slim 11-10 lead. The Mavericks would quickly pull away, however, thanks to a 6-0 scoring run that saw McKenna Ruch rack up back-to-back kills followed by back-to-back blocks. The Shockers did mount a late comeback, tying things up at 24-24, but thanks to kills from McCormick and Buss the Mavericks were able to shut them down.
• Wichita State was finally able to stop the Mavericks in set three, setting the tone early with a 5-0 run to take an 8-4 lead. Buss picked up three-straight kills for Omaha to get them back in it, but the Shockers responded with another 5-0 run to pull ahead 18-11 and eventually take the set.
• Set four began with 18 lead changes as neither team would let up. Tied at 10-10, Omaha was finally able to break the deadlock thanks to a Wichita service error and a block from Jurgensmeier. Buss would deal the final blow to the Shockers, scoring three kills in a row to get Omaha to match point before ending their final comeback attempt with the match-winning kill.

Inside the Box Score

• The Mavericks led the Shockers in kills (64-51), aces (6-2), assists (61-49), and digs (66-61).
• McCormick picked up her second-straight double-double with 17 kills and 15 digs. Both marks were tied for the most on the day.
• Buss recorded a new season-best with 17 kills as she tied McCormick for the match lead.
• Ruch and Jurgensmeier also set season-high marks in kills at 12 and 11, respectively.
• Sami Clarkson led all players with 56 assists, the most she's had this season.

Up Next
Day two of the Omaha Challenge will feature a neutral match between Wichita State and University of Northern Colorado this Friday at 5 p.m. The Mavericks will return to the court on Saturday to close out the Omaha Challenge with a 4 p.m. match vs. Northern Colorado.