OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Volleyball team added four newcomers on signing day for the 2024 season: Alizabeth Jacobsen, Celia Spilker, Sarah Galligan, and Ella Tiarks.

"The theme of this class is four hard-working student-athletes who will have a hugely positive impact on our gym while also being great members of our Maverick community," remarked Head Coach Matt Buttermore. "We are excited to welcome them to Omaha!"

Alizbath Jacobsen - 6'3'' Outside Hitter

"I loved the setup of the campus and the size of the University. I also really liked the volleyball coaches and the team culture."

Coming to us from Neola, Iowa, Jacobsen is a four-year letterwinner at Underwood High School. As a freshman, she was named KMA Western Iowa Conference Freshman of the Year as she helped lead her team to a conference title. The next year, she was named Class 2A 1st Team All-District, WIC 1st team All-Conference, and KMA Western Iowa Conference Sophomore of the Year. Her third year, she set a school record with 431 kills and 4.6 K/S, being named KMA Western Iowa Conference Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year and the KMA Western Iowa Conference Volleyball Junior of the Year. All told, she finished her high school career with 1034 kills.

Jacobsen also played for Nerbaska Elite.

"Alizabeth is a physical pin hitter who impressed me with her work ethic at camps," said Buttermore. "Her power and length will serve her well, and we are excited to add another hard-working player to our gym."

Celia Spilker - 6'5'' Right Side/Middle Blocker

"I chose UNO because it has a great location, knowledgeable coaches, and welcoming teammates."

From Lincoln, Nebraska, Spilker lettered all four years at Norris High School. Her first season, she made the AVCA Top 150 Players to Watch and guided her team to a Class B State Runner-Up finish. The next year, with 63 total blocks she was an EMC Honorable Mention as her team was again Class B Runner-Ups. Spilker followed this up with a 73-block performance as a junior, earning another EMC Honorable Mention, before closing out her senior year with another Runner-Up finish at state and a spot on the AVCA All-Region Team.

"Celia has been working hard on developing her game and it's been exciting to see her continue develop over the club and high school seasons," explained Buttermore. "I think she is just starting to come into her own as a player I'm excited to work with her."

Sarah Galligan - 5'8'' Libero/Defensive Specialist

"I chose UNO because the coaches and players were amazing and I wanted to play for my home town!"

A local kid from Omaha who played at Elkhorn South, Galligan was a four-year member of the volleyball team. During her career, she recorded 820 digs and 3.6 D/S, topping 400 digs in her junior year alone. She also had 42 service aces, with 21 of them coming as a junior. She also played for the Nebraska Elite Volleyball team.

"Sarah is a very driven student-athlete, and that will help her be very successful at the college level," mentioned Buttermore. "She's very quick and will be a dynamic defender and back row player, and we're glad she's a Maverick!"

Ella Tiarks - 6'5'' Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter

"I chose Omaha because everyone was so welcoming and I loved the atmosphere with the team. As soon as I was on my visit, I knew it was the place for me!"

From Treynor, Iowa, Tiarks is a four-year letterwinner at Treynor High School. During her career, she racked up 558 kills and 160 total blocks. Her junior year, she earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention, before earning First Team honors in her final season. Like Jacobsen and Galligan, Tiarks was also a member of Nebraska Elite.

"Ella is another player who has really impressed me by her development over the last 18 months," noted Buttermore. "She will be a force for us at the net and I'm excited to see the trajectory of her career as a Maverick."