The past six months have been a whirlwind for Jamie Carey.

Since being hired as Omaha's women's basketball coach in late April, Carey has been busy assembling a coaching staff, constructing a roster and learning about the area.

"From the day I said yes (to become coach), it's been an honor and privilege to be here. I enjoy building the relationships with the players and the community and all those things," Carey said.

"I know a lot of people mark (the season opener) by the first game, but I mark it by the first day. I'm grateful this administration has trusted me to build this program. I'm going to give it everything I have."

Carey and the new-look Mavericks open the regular season at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Kansas State. The Wildcats were 28-8 and reached the Sweet 16 last season.

Omaha's roster includes just three players from its 2024-25 squad.

"It's kind of nice because we're all learning at the same time," junior Cora Olsen said of becoming comfortable with Carey's coaching system and style. "We just try to improve each day."

Olsen, a Millard South graduate, brings a level of Division I experience to the team that includes nine freshmen among its 12 newcomers.

"She's a strong, confident voice," Carey said of Olsen. "She's obviously been through a season and knows what it looks like. Many of our freshmen and young guys haven't."

Olsen started 18 games last season before being sidelined by a season-ending hip injury. After averaging 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds a game, Olsen also will be counted on as a team leader.

"I see it as a privilege. And it's so fun to be a leader with such a young group, knowing that when I leave they will be the leaders," Olsen said.

Carey wants to have a team that pushes the tempo and creates turnovers. During the team's lone exhibition game, Omaha scored on its first five possessions before rolling to an 81-55 win over NAIA's Avila. Omaha scored 22 points off turnovers in the first half.

"I really liked our pace for about the first 20 minutes," Carey said. "Hopefully it grows into a game of 40 minutes."

Omaha played 10 players in the exhibition. The starting five included two returners from a year ago, Olsen and Ali Stephens, freshmen Avril Smith and Leekaya Burke Perryman as well as graduate transfer Sarai Estupiñan.

Stephens led Omaha with 17 points, Estupiñan showed an all-around game with 14 points, five assists and four steals, while Smith, who will be relied on in the paint, had nine points and 11 rebounds.

Now the Mavericks are ready to make their debut in Manhattan.

"I'm pumped. I'm really pumped," Olsen said.

Connect with Omaha Women's Basketball on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, @OmahaWBB.