OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha Volleyball played its first marathon match of the season in a 3-1 setback at the hands of USF at Baxter Arena Friday.

The Mavericks (3-5) fought to the end against the Bulls (4-5) and forced the final two sets into extra points. USF took the first set 25-22 and Omaha took the second 25-18. The Bulls took the final two sets, 30-28 and 38-36. The fourth set marks the second highest scoring set of the Division I volleyball season, just behind Navy's 39-37 win over Utah Valley on Aug. 29.

The match tallied 51 tie scores and 23 lead changes through the four-set battle with 20 tie scores and 10 lead changes in the fourth set alone.

Omaha recorded a higher hitting percentage than USF at .248 compared the Bulls' .221. The Mavericks led USF in kills (66 to 63) and posting a better serve percentage (.875 to .873). Both squads tallied 10 total blocks with 18 assisted blocks and one solo block.

The Mavericks' one solo block belonged to freshman outside hitter Lara Marić. The Brisbane, Australia native also had four kills to keep the Mavs alive during the third and fourth sets.

Kali Jurgensmeier led the team with 16 kills. Faith Venable was close behind with 15 then Morgan DeBow with 14.

Four Mavericks recorded aces. Julia Owens and Venable each had two while Davis Guetterman and Jurgensmeier had one apiece.

Omaha will close out its non-conference slate at Baxter Arena tomorrow, Sept. 20, against No. 17 Kansas. Tickets are available at OMavs.com/Tickets or by calling the Baxter Arena box office at 402-554-MAVS.

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