OMAHA, Neb. - Facing their first of several Power 5 opponents this season, the Mavericks began their 2023 campaign with a 3-1 loss to Texas A&M on day one of the Omaha Invite presented by Sarpy County Tourism.

This was the first ever meeting between the two schools.

Set by Set: (18-25, 27-25, 12-25, 21-25)

• At the start of set one, the Mavericks were keeping pace with the Aggies as McKenna Ruch led the way with three early kills to keep it tied at 9-9. Texas A&M gradually started to pull away, however, scoring eight of the next 11 to take a 17-12 lead. Despite Amanda Hardt recording the first two kills of her career on a couple of powerful cross-court shots to stifle their rally, the Aggies would hold on to take set one.
• Through the first half of set two, the Mavericks went point-for-point with Texas A&M and made it 14-14 thanks to a steady attack that saw Shayla McCormick and Kali Jurgensmeier rack up seven combined kills. Momentum would shift back in favor of the Aggies, though, as they took a six-point lead at 23-17. In danger of falling behind 0-2, the Mavericks responded by going on a crucial five-point run that featured back-to-back aces from Erica Fava and a pair of kills from Ruch to pull within one. The Aggies would then reach set point twice, only for Jurgensmeier to give Omaha a 26-25 lead, setting the stage for Anika Ivester to win the set with the first kill of her career.
• After opening the third set with a block from Ruch and Hardt, the Mavericks were unable to maintain control of the court as the Aggies quickly established a 10-4 lead, later going on a seven-point run to grow their lead to double-digits and ultimately take the set.
• Like in set two, the Mavericks were locked in a dead heat with the Aggies for much of the set, with both teams tied at 15-15. McCormick and Jurgensmeier continued to provide the bulk of Omaha's offense, while Hardt was still going strong in her college debut with two more kills and a block. However, Texas A&M rode another late surge to take a 21-17 lead. Despite one last push from Omaha to get within one point, it was not enough to catch the Aggies as they scored three in a row to put away the match.

Inside the Box Score

• McCormick and Jurgensmeier totaled 13 and 12 kills apiece, combined for 25 of Omaha's 42 kills.
• Ruch recorded five blocks today, giving her 15 career matches with at least five.
• In her first game as a Maverick, Hardt finished the day with seven kills and two blocks.

Up Next
The Mavericks will close out the Omaha Invite tomorrow at 7 p.m. when they face Kansas.