OMAHA, Neb. - The Mavericks are set to close out their non-conference slate this week when they play three matches in the Northern Colorado Classic starting this Thursday in Greeley, Colo.

Weekend Slate

• Thursday, September 14, Omaha at Northern Colorado at 7 p.m.
• Friday, September 15, Omaha vs. Wichita State at 4 p.m.
• Saturday, September 16, Omaha vs. Bradley 12 p.m.

Quick Hits

• Continuing their formidable non-conference schedule, the Mavericks went 0-3 last week in the MH Hospitality Omaha Challenge, falling to Long Beach State, No. 16 Creighton, and RV Iowa State. 
• McKenna Ruch led the Mavericks last week with 30 kills, four service aces, and nine total blocks, posting back-to-back double-digit kills performances vs. Creighton and Iowa State. She now leads the team with 51 kills on the season, sever service aces, and 21 total blocks.
• Breakout freshmen Amanda Hardt and Emily Huss kept pace with Ruch last week, with Hardt posting 22 kills and Huss tying her with nine total blocks. Hardt is now second on the team with 47 kills while Huss is second in blocks with 15.
• Setters Olivia Curry and Ivy Leuck were virtually tied in assists in the Omaha Challenge, with the senior recording 42 and the rookie picking up 43. Both also helped on defense too as they combined for 47 digs. 
• Shayla McCormick's team-high 31 digs brought her to 63 on the season. She is now just four digs away from topping 700 in her career.
• Olivia Tukuafu became the latest rookie to score her first career kill this week, doing so in the second set vs. LBSU.

Scouting Northern Colorado
The Bears went 0-2 last week against Northeastern and Northwestern and now enter the week at 3-5.

Bears to Watch
Fifth year outside hitter and 2022 All-Big Sky selection Makenzie Harris leads the Bears with 77 kills and 56 digs, as well as being top five in aces (seven) and blocks (13).

Fellow fifth year Cece Huhn is right behind Harris with 54 kills, while leading the way up the middle with 23 blocks. 

Series History
Omaha is 12-26 all-time vs. Northern Colorado, most recently winning 3-2 at home last September.


Scouting Wichita State
The Shockers are 3-4 and coming off an 0-2 week in which they lost to No. 22 Kansas and Colorado.

Shockers to Watch
Junior middle blocker and 2022 AVCA All-Region honoree Natalie Foster heads up the Shockers' offense and defense with 67 kills (.353 attack percentage) and 37 total blocks.

Sophomore libero Gabi Maas has been crucial on defense too, pacing the team with 122 digs (4.36 d/s). 

Series History
Omaha improved to 5-3 all-time vs. Wichita State after topping them in four sets last season.

Scouting Bradley
The Braves swept their way through last week with wins over Jacksonville State, Arkansas - Pine Bluff, and Southern Indiana, bringing them to 7-2 on the season.

Braves to Watch
Freshman and senior outside hitters Tendai Titley and Jasmine Green are one and two offensively for the Braves, entering the week with 72 and 71 kills each. Sophomore middle blocker Kendall Minta is right behind with 62 kills, while leading the team with 30 total blocks.

Series History
In seven matches, Omaha is 2-5 vs. Bradley, last winning in three sets back in 2015.