OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha's packed non-conference slate continues this week when they host Long Beach State, No. 16 Creighton, and RV Iowa State in the MH Hospitality Omaha Challenge beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. in Baxter Arena.

Weekend Slate

• Thursday, September 7, Omaha vs. Long Beach State at 7 p.m.
• Friday, September 8, Omaha vs. No. 16 Creighton at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 9, Omaha vs. RV Iowa State 6 p.m.
• Sunday, September 10, Iowa State vs. Creighton at 4 p.m.

Quick Hits

• The Mavericks began last week by helping make history at Memorial Stadium when their match vs. Nebraska set the record for the most attended women's sporting event in history with 92,003 fans in attendance. 
• Long Beach State will be the first non-Power 5 opponent Omaha plays this season after starting 2023 with four straight. Meanwhile, Creighton will be the second ranked opponent the Mavericks face this year and Iowa State the fourth overall receiving top 25 votes.
• The Mavericks drew just over 3500 fans during their opening weekend vs. Texas A&M and Kansas. The first game against the Aggies was the ninth most attended home match in team history with 1442 spectators, while the match against the Jayhawks slots in at number four on the list with 2091 fans at Baxter Arena.
• Omaha's top offensive players this season have been Shayla McCormick and Kali Jurgensmeier, with each topping 30 kills. McCormick has also racked up four aces and 32 digs, while Jurgensmeier has recorded three blocks.
• Entering 2023, McCormick had 631 career kills in two seasons. After putting up 438 in 2022, she stands good odds of becoming the 21st Maverick in history and fourth in the D1 era to join the 1000 kill club. She currently sits at 656 kills. In addition to reaching 1000 kills, McCormick is on course to top 1000 career digs this season. With 665 digs and 370 coming in 2022 alone, she has a solid chance of becoming the sixth player in program history to reach both 1000 kills and digs by the end of this season.
• Newcomers Amanda Hardt and Erica Fava continue to shine, with Hardt third on the team with 25 kills and Fava first in digs (36) and service aces (seven).
• The Mavericks scored nine service aces at K-State last week, their most this season. Fava led the way with four, followed by McCormick with three.

Scouting Long Beach State
The Beach enters the week at 2-3 after going 1-2 last week in their home tournament, beating Indiana but falling to Washington and UCLA. They began the season with a huge 3-1 upset of No.1 Texas at home. 

Beach to Watch
Offensively, the team is led by graduate student opposite hitter Katie Kennedy. So far, she has amassed 53 kills and a .330 attack percentage. She also has the second most blocks on the team with 11.

Junior defensive specialist Savana Chacon leads Long Beach State on defense with 80 digs (4.21 digs/set), as well as leading them in service aces with six.

Series History
This will be the first ever meeting between Omaha and Long Beach State.


Scouting Creighton
After losing 2-3 to Duke on August 27, the Bluejays have won three straight vs. Ball State, LSU, and UNI in their home tournament last week to improve to 5-1. Creighton also picked up a 3-0 win over No. 16 Purdue earlier in the season. Before facing Omaha, the team will first take on Nebraska on Wednesday.

Bluejays to Watch
Sophomore outside hitter Ava Martin and junior outside hitter Norah Sis are neck and neck for the team lead in kills with 103 (4.48 kills/set) and 95 (4.13 kills/set), respectively. While Martin holds a superior .297 attack percentage, Sis leads the team with seven service aces and is third in digs with 77.

On defense, senior Kiana Schmitt and sophomore Ann Marie Remmes have been solid in the middle, combining for 49 total blocks already.

Series History
Omaha is 9-10 all-time against Creighton, with the Bluejays on an eight-match winning streak including last year's 3-2 win at Baxter. The Mavericks' last win in the series came on October 25, 1978.


Scouting Iowa State
The Cyclones remain undefeated at 5-0 after picking up wins against Arizona, Long Island, and GCU last week. On Wednesday, they will face in-state rival Iowa before coming to Omaha.

Cyclones to Watch
Freshman outside hitter Nayeli Gonzalez is off to a hot start to her career as she currently leads the team with 54 kills (3.38 kills/set). She is also third in digs (33) and blocks (14).

Defensively, senior middle blocker Jordan Hopp paces the Cyclones with 23 total blocks, while junior libero Brooke Stonestreet leads the team with 79 digs.

Series History
Omaha is 4-8 against Iowa State, falling in three sets in their last meeting in 2021.