OMAHA, Neb. - Entering the final stretch of the regular season, the Mavericks (10-12, 9-3) begin their last road trip of the year as they take on Kansas City and St. Thomas this week.
Weekend Slate
- Thursday, November 2, Omaha at Kansas City at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 4, Omaha at St. Thomas at 12 p.m.
Quick Hits
- Following a 3-1 loss to North Dakota State last week, the Mavericks open the final two weeks of the season tied with Denver for first place in the Summit League with just four matches left to play.
- The big story on Saturday was Bryn McNair appearing in just the second match of her career and recording not only her first ever kill, but getting 10. Her impressive performance also included four digs and three total blocks.
- Fellow freshman Emily Huss continues to lead the league in blocks per set with 1.41. She is also ninth in total blocks (41), four behind McKenna Ruch who sits in fifth place.
- Speaking of Ruch, she is now just 25 kills away from topping 800 in her career after picking up 14 on Saturday. She also eclipsed 300 career blocks with three total vs. NDSU.
- Amanda Hardt extended her double-digit kills streak to five matches with 11 vs. NDSU. Her 145 conference kills rank her seventh in the league and are just two behind Shayla McCormick who ranks sixth.
- Rachel Fairbanks earned her fourth double-double in a row on Saturday with 11 kills and 11 digs. She is now fifth in the league in digs with 157.
- With two more aces last week, Erica Fava remains atop the leader boards with 25, while her 11 digs give her 155 on the season and place her right behind Fairbanks.
Scouting Kansas City
The Roos own a half-game lead over NDSU for third place in the conference at 8-3 following a 1-1 week.
Roos To Watch
In conference play, senior outside hitter Warren Odyssey begins the week second in the league in kills with 164. 13 of those came at Omaha back in September.
Junior libero Leah Green paces the conference with 4.87 digs per set and is eighth in total digs at 151, as well as placing second in aces per set (0.55) and fourth in aces (17). She had three aces and 24 digs against Omaha earlier this season.
Senior middle blocker Carly Gillen leads the league with a .385 attack percentage and is eighth in total blocks with 42. She posted a .542 attack percentage and had four blocks vs. the Mavericks.
Series History
Entering the year tied at 10-10-1 vs. the Roos, Omaha now trails the all-time series after a 2-3 loss to them in the Summit League opener.
Scouting St. Thomas
The Tommies won their second match of the season last week after upsetting North Dakota 3-1 on Saturday to move to 2-10 in the conference.
Tommies To Watch
St. Thomas' top all-around player remains freshman outside hitter Ellie Gustafson, who currently ranks in the top-15 in conference kills (121) and digs (134). She just missed a double-double vs. Omaha last time with nine kills and 14 digs.
Sophomore libero Ella Voegele is currently second in the league in digs with 183 and fourth in digs per set with 4.07. She also leads St. Thomas with 11 service aces, ranking her top 20 in the league. Voegele posted 12 digs and three aces in Omaha this year.
Series History
Omaha moved to 5-0 against the Tommies all-time after their five-set win two weeks ago.
