OMAHA, Neb. - The Mavericks begin Summit League competition this week as they host Kansas City and reigning conference champion South Dakota at Baxter Arena.

Weekend Slate

• Thursday, September 21, Omaha vs. Kansas City at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 23, Omaha vs. South Dakota at 7 p.m.

Quick Hits

• The Mavericks picked up their first win of the season last week in the Northern Colorado Classic after sweeping Bradley 3-0 in their final non-conference match of the season. It was a commanding win, with the Mavericks leading the Braves in points, kills, attack percentage, aces, blocks, assists, and digs. Omaha is now 1-9 on the season.
• McKenna Ruch and Amanda Hardt led the way for Omaha last week, finishing one and two in kills (35 and 34) and blocks (21 and 10). Ruch is currently on a four-match streak with at least five total blocks. Both may top 100 kills on the season this week as they are each less than 20 away.
• Brynlee Arnold scored the match winner against Bradley to give her a career-high nine kills in the match. Her .643 attack percentage was also the highest of any Maverick this season (minimum 10 attempts).
• On Saturday, Shayla McCormick reached double-digit kills for the first time since opening day. Having already topped 700 career digs earlier in the week, she is now just seven kills away from reaching the 700 kill mark.
• Splitting time at setter, Olivia Curry and Ivy Leuck topped 300 combined assists over the weekend. Curry is just 15 away from reaching 200, while Leuck recorded her 100th with her final set vs. Wichita State.
• The Mavericks went 2-0 vs. Kansas City last season, winning six sets to one. Ruch and McCormick had double-digit kills in both matches while Rachel Fairbanks recorded 11 in the second meeting. Against South Dakota, though, Omaha went 0-3 last year. McCormick had 38 total kills and 34 digs, and Ruch had 17 total blocks.

Scouting Kansas City
The Roos enter Summit League play atop standings at 9-3. They closed out their non-conference schedule with the KC Roos Klassic, falling to Southeast Missouri State and Saint Louis while defeating Austin Peay.

Roos to Watch
Multiple Roos lead the Summit League is several categories at the moment. 2022 Summit League Honorable Mentions Odyssey Warren and Kaia Dunford are one and two in points (180.5 and 162) and kills (156 and 150). Leah Green leads the league with 235 digs, followed by Dunford with 173.

Blair Taylor paces the Summit in aces with 19, while Carly Gillen is first in blocks with 65 and Sydney Henry has the most assists at 484.

Series History
The Mavericks are tied at 10-10-1 all-time vs. the Roos and 6-9 in the Division I era. Omaha won both matches vs. Kansas City in 2022.


Scouting South Dakota
The Coyotes are 6-5 coming into this week and are riding a five-match winning streak, most recently sweeping through Green Bay, Illinois State, and Central Michigan at the Green Bay Invite.

Coyotes to Watch
2022 First Team All-Summit selection Madison Harms returns for a fifth season, currently leading the team with 52 total blocks (second in the league) and is second in kills with 119.

Rookie Avery Van Hook has become USD's starting setter, accumulating 356 assists, as well as a team-high 12 service aces. She is also second in digs (106) and third in blocks (24). 

Series History
The Mavericks lead the all-time series vs. the Coyotes at 61-26, though, the latter owns a 21-6 record since transitioning to Division I. Omaha has lost the last four matches in the series, including last year's Summit League Tournament Championship match.