Mavs Face Test With Three Division I Matches
Sep 19, 2011 | Volleyball
Weekly Release
After an open week, the UNO volleyball team (2-10) returns to action with three Division I matches over four days, facing Wichita State, UMKC and North Dakota. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Mavericks travel to WSU for a 7 p.m. contest with the Shockers at Koch Arena, which will be televised in the Omaha area on Cox Channel 2. The following night, UNO comes home to Sapp Fieldhouse to host UMKC at 6:30 p.m. The Mavs hit the road for their final match of the week at North Dakota on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Sioux Center.
Nebraska Omaha last took the court at the Colorado Premier Challenge, Sept. 9-10, in Denver, Colo. The Mavs went 1-3 for the weekend, posting a 3-2 win over Cal Baptist while dropping matches to Seattle Pacific (3-0), Regis (3-2) and UC-Colorado Springs (3-1). Sophomore outside hitter Abby Sorensen shined during the tournament, averaging 3.73 kills per set, with a standout 26-kill performance against UCCS. The outing marked a career high for Sorensen, which smashed her previous best of 19 kills, set against Cal Baptist the night before.
UNO, which is in its first year as a reclassifying Division I institution, is guided by Head Coach Rose Shires, who is in her 22nd year at the helm of the Maverick program. In 2010, UNO finished with a record of 17-15 and had two All-MIAA honorees in third-team pick Kayla Uhing and honorable mention selection Ebke. Uhing has since rejoined the Mavericks as a student assistant in 2011, and Ebke is one of 10 returning letterwinners this year.
Scouting the Wichita State Shockers
Wichita State, which played in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, enters Tuesday's game with a record of 7-4 (2-0 MVC). Last week, the Shockers maintained a four-match winning streak with victories over No. 22 Oklahoma (3-2), Indiana State (3-0) and Illinois State (3-0). Nebraska Omaha leads the all-time series with Wichita State, 4-2, but the Shockers earned a 3-1 win in the last meeting on Aug. 31, 1984 in Omaha.
Scouting the UMKC Kangaroos
UMKC enters Wednesday's match with a record of 5-6 (0-2 Summit League), as the Kangaroos dropped both of their games last week -- against Southern Utah (3-0) and Oral Roberts (3-0). UNO leads the all-time series with UMKC, 4-1-1, having last taken a sweep on Oct. 17, 1987 in Warrensburg, Mo.
Scouting the North Dakota Fighting Sioux
North Dakota enters Friday's game with a record of 10-3 (4-0 Summit League) and a five-match win streak. Last week at the Stephen F. Austin Invitational in Nacogdoches, Texas, UND posted three straight victories over Rice (3-2), host SFA (3-1) and Sam Houston State (3-1). The Mavericks and the Fighting Sioux are both former members of the North Central Conference, and UNO leads the all-time series, 43-11, having last won 3-2 in Grand Forks on Nov. 2, 2007.
Mavericks Reclassify to Division I
Nebraska Omaha announced in March 2011 its plan to reclassify from NCAA Division II to Division I, beginning with the 2011-12 school year. UNO, which was previously a member of the MIAA, accepted an invitation to join The Summit League and will compete as a full-fledged member with a regular-season conference schedule in 2012-13.
Digging In
Senior Angie Reicks is on track to become UNO's all-time career digs leader, as she ranks third in school history with 1,672 digs. The Bellevue, Neb., native, who entered the year ranked fifth, had 47 digs over the Mavs' opening weekend at the CEFCU Classic in Peoria, Ill., which moved her ahead of former Maverick Laura Monahan and also earned her a spot on the all-tournament team.
Entering this week's slate of matches, Reicks needs just 19 digs to tie Tracy Ankeny (1997-2000) for second all-time at 1,691.
In addition, Reicks holds the school record for most digs in a match, as she totaled 46 against Central Missouri as a sophomore in 2009.
UNO All-Time Career Digs Leaders
Player – Years -- Digs
Kevin Campbell -- 1991-94 -- 1,782
Tracy Ankeny -- 1997-00 -- 1,691
Angie Reicks -- 2008-present -- 1,613
Amy Gradoville -- 1987-90 -- 1,604
Laura Monahan -- 1990-93 -- 1,524
2011 Schedule Features Mix of Division I, Division II Talent
UNO's schedule for the 2011 season includes a slate of regional road matches and a mix of Division I teams and top Division II squads. Eight 2010 NCAA Tournament qualifiers highlight the list -- Wichita State and North Dakota State for Division I and Seattle Pacific, Central Missouri, Emporia State, Abilene Christian, Washburn and Nebraska-Kearney for Division II. UCM made an appearance in the national semifinals, while SPU, UNK and WU played through their regional semifinals.
In addition, five squads -- UCM (No. 2), WU (No. 5), UNK (No. 6), SPU (No. 13), ESU (No. 18) and ACU (No. 23) -- were included in the AVCA Division II Preseason Poll, and Wichita State received votes in the Division I poll.
Healthy Mach Granted Medical Redshirt by NCAA
Junior middle blocker Lizzy Mach was granted a medical redshirt year by the NCAA this summer, as she sat out the majority of the 2010 season with an ACL injury. After being named third-team All-MIAA in 2009, she suffered the season-ending knee injury just 11 matches in last year. As a sophomore, Mach averaged 2.11 kills, 0.60 blocks and 0.45 digs per set while ranking fourth on the team with 274 kills.
For the year, Mach has averaged 1.88 kills and 0.45 blocks per set. The Wahoo, Neb., native totaled a season-high 12 kills against Northern State on Sept. 3 and has reached double-figure kills on four occasions, including back-to-back matches against Cal Baptist (10) and Regis (10). Mach also put up a season-high four blocks against Minnesota State Moorhead on Sept. 2.
Shires Enters 22nd Year as Winningest Coach in School History
Head Coach Rose Shires is the all-time winningest coach in 41 years of UNO volleyball history. In her 22nd year at the helm of the Maverick program, Shires owns a career record of 426-254 (.626), the most wins of the five coaches who have served at Nebraska Omaha.
The 1996 AVCA National Coach of the Year and a two-time conference coach of the year, Shires has enjoyed tremendous success as UNO's guide. The 1996 campaign saw her lead UNO to a national championship as well as its first North Central Conference championship since 1987, followed by an Elite Eight appearance in 1997. In NCAA Tournament play, Shires' squads have combined for 11 appearances and a 10-10 postseason mark.
Shires is assisted by Associate Head Coach Karen Povondra, who is in her 22nd season with UNO, and Assistant Coach Tanya Cate, who is in her second year on the Maverick staff.
Kids Growing Up In the Heartland
The 2011 UNO roster is loaded with local talent, as 14 of the 17 players listed hail from nine Nebraska towns. Two pairs of student-athletes also come from the same high school programs -- senior middle blocker Brittany Hanssen and freshman setter Bailey Baxter are both products of Grand Island Central Catholic, while junior middle blocker Lizzy Mach and freshman middle blocker Alyssa Stanek both played at Bishop Neumann in Wahoo.
Hanssen Hits Career High in Blocks at Bradley, Moves Into Program Top 20
Senior middle blocker Brittany Hanssen led the Mavericks' effort to outblock Bradley 12-9 on Aug. 26, putting up a career-high eight blocks against the Braves. For the weekend, the Grand Island, Neb., native averaged 1.36 blocks per set, totaling 15 over three matches. Over her first three years at UNO, Hanssen had tied her previous career high of seven blocks on four occasions.
This season, Hanssen has averaged a team-leading 0.92 blocks per set, and she has four matches with five or more stops. She recently broke into UNO's all-time career blocks list, ranking 20th with 286 total blocks. Hanssen is also 13th with 275 block assists as a Maverick.
UNO Welcomes Seven Freshmen to Roster
In its first year as a Division I program, UNO has welcomed seven freshmen to campus -- setter Bailey Baxter (Grand Island, Neb.), outside hitter Kimberly Bailey (Lincoln, Neb.), defensive specialist Rachelle Kruml (Ord, Neb.) and middle blockers Valerie Hecht (Bern, Kan.), Alyssa Stanek (Ceresco, Neb.), Jessy Schroedter (Fremont, Neb.) and Diane Banderas (Lincoln, Neb.). Armed with multiple all-state awards and four players who participated in the Nebraska High School All-Star Game (Bailey, Baxter, Banderas, Stanek), the group of newcomers will provide a solid foundation as UNO prepares for Summit League competition in the coming years.
At the CEFCU Classic in Peoria, Ill., Schroedter was the lone Maverick newcomer to see game action. She appeared in six sets over two matches on Aug. 26, totaling five kills, three blocks and two digs. At last weekend's Colorado Premier Challenge, Schroedter totaled seven kills and four blocks over three matches.
The UNO Showcase saw Kruml earn playing time in two sets against Northern State.
2011 UNO NEWCOMERS
Kimberly Bailey -- Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln North Star)
Third-team Super State, Second-team all-state (2010)
Diane Banderas -- Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest)
All-state honorable mention (2010)
Bailey Baxter -- Grand Island, Neb. (Central Catholic)
Two-time all-state selection (2009-10)
Valerie Hecht -- Bern, Kan. (Bern)
Two-time all-state (2009-10)
Rachelle Kruml -- Ord, Neb. (Ord)
Two-time all-state honorable mention (2009-10)
Jessy Schroedter -- Fremont, Neb. (Archbishop Bergan)
All-state honorable mention (2010)
Alyssa Stanek -- Ceresco, Neb. (Bishop Neumann)
Two-time all-state (2009-10)
All-Conference Honorees Lead Mavs in 2011
UNO returns four players to its 2011 roster who have earned all-conference honors -- junior middle blocker Lizzy Mach, senior setter Emily Myers, senior libero Angie Reicks and junior outside hitter Natalie Ebke. Reicks garnered second-team All-MIAA status in 2009, while Mach and Myers were selected to the third team. Ebke was an honorable mention pick in 2010.
UNO has had 46 players combine for 78 All-MIAA or All-NCC accolades. In year one of their transition to Division I and full membership in The Summit League, the Mavericks will be ineligible for all-league recognition this season.
2010-11 Squad Earns 12th Straight AVCA Academic Award
The UNO volleyball earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Team Academic Award for the 12th straight year, the AVCA announced in July. As a team, the Mavericks recorded a 3.68 grade-point average during the 2010-11 academic year to claim the honor, which was their 12th straight and 15th overall.
The annual AVCA award honors collegiate and high school volleyball programs that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Up Next for the Mavs
UNO returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 27, hosting South Dakota at Sapp Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. The match also marks Senior Night, and the Mavs will honor seniors Emily Myers, Angie Reicks and Brittany Hanssen with special festivities.
After an open week, the UNO volleyball team (2-10) returns to action with three Division I matches over four days, facing Wichita State, UMKC and North Dakota. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Mavericks travel to WSU for a 7 p.m. contest with the Shockers at Koch Arena, which will be televised in the Omaha area on Cox Channel 2. The following night, UNO comes home to Sapp Fieldhouse to host UMKC at 6:30 p.m. The Mavs hit the road for their final match of the week at North Dakota on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Sioux Center.
Nebraska Omaha last took the court at the Colorado Premier Challenge, Sept. 9-10, in Denver, Colo. The Mavs went 1-3 for the weekend, posting a 3-2 win over Cal Baptist while dropping matches to Seattle Pacific (3-0), Regis (3-2) and UC-Colorado Springs (3-1). Sophomore outside hitter Abby Sorensen shined during the tournament, averaging 3.73 kills per set, with a standout 26-kill performance against UCCS. The outing marked a career high for Sorensen, which smashed her previous best of 19 kills, set against Cal Baptist the night before.
UNO, which is in its first year as a reclassifying Division I institution, is guided by Head Coach Rose Shires, who is in her 22nd year at the helm of the Maverick program. In 2010, UNO finished with a record of 17-15 and had two All-MIAA honorees in third-team pick Kayla Uhing and honorable mention selection Ebke. Uhing has since rejoined the Mavericks as a student assistant in 2011, and Ebke is one of 10 returning letterwinners this year.
Scouting the Wichita State Shockers
Wichita State, which played in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, enters Tuesday's game with a record of 7-4 (2-0 MVC). Last week, the Shockers maintained a four-match winning streak with victories over No. 22 Oklahoma (3-2), Indiana State (3-0) and Illinois State (3-0). Nebraska Omaha leads the all-time series with Wichita State, 4-2, but the Shockers earned a 3-1 win in the last meeting on Aug. 31, 1984 in Omaha.
Scouting the UMKC Kangaroos
UMKC enters Wednesday's match with a record of 5-6 (0-2 Summit League), as the Kangaroos dropped both of their games last week -- against Southern Utah (3-0) and Oral Roberts (3-0). UNO leads the all-time series with UMKC, 4-1-1, having last taken a sweep on Oct. 17, 1987 in Warrensburg, Mo.
Scouting the North Dakota Fighting Sioux
North Dakota enters Friday's game with a record of 10-3 (4-0 Summit League) and a five-match win streak. Last week at the Stephen F. Austin Invitational in Nacogdoches, Texas, UND posted three straight victories over Rice (3-2), host SFA (3-1) and Sam Houston State (3-1). The Mavericks and the Fighting Sioux are both former members of the North Central Conference, and UNO leads the all-time series, 43-11, having last won 3-2 in Grand Forks on Nov. 2, 2007.
Mavericks Reclassify to Division I
Nebraska Omaha announced in March 2011 its plan to reclassify from NCAA Division II to Division I, beginning with the 2011-12 school year. UNO, which was previously a member of the MIAA, accepted an invitation to join The Summit League and will compete as a full-fledged member with a regular-season conference schedule in 2012-13.
Digging In
Senior Angie Reicks is on track to become UNO's all-time career digs leader, as she ranks third in school history with 1,672 digs. The Bellevue, Neb., native, who entered the year ranked fifth, had 47 digs over the Mavs' opening weekend at the CEFCU Classic in Peoria, Ill., which moved her ahead of former Maverick Laura Monahan and also earned her a spot on the all-tournament team.
Entering this week's slate of matches, Reicks needs just 19 digs to tie Tracy Ankeny (1997-2000) for second all-time at 1,691.
In addition, Reicks holds the school record for most digs in a match, as she totaled 46 against Central Missouri as a sophomore in 2009.
UNO All-Time Career Digs Leaders
Player – Years -- Digs
Kevin Campbell -- 1991-94 -- 1,782
Tracy Ankeny -- 1997-00 -- 1,691
Angie Reicks -- 2008-present -- 1,613
Amy Gradoville -- 1987-90 -- 1,604
Laura Monahan -- 1990-93 -- 1,524
2011 Schedule Features Mix of Division I, Division II Talent
UNO's schedule for the 2011 season includes a slate of regional road matches and a mix of Division I teams and top Division II squads. Eight 2010 NCAA Tournament qualifiers highlight the list -- Wichita State and North Dakota State for Division I and Seattle Pacific, Central Missouri, Emporia State, Abilene Christian, Washburn and Nebraska-Kearney for Division II. UCM made an appearance in the national semifinals, while SPU, UNK and WU played through their regional semifinals.
In addition, five squads -- UCM (No. 2), WU (No. 5), UNK (No. 6), SPU (No. 13), ESU (No. 18) and ACU (No. 23) -- were included in the AVCA Division II Preseason Poll, and Wichita State received votes in the Division I poll.
Healthy Mach Granted Medical Redshirt by NCAA
Junior middle blocker Lizzy Mach was granted a medical redshirt year by the NCAA this summer, as she sat out the majority of the 2010 season with an ACL injury. After being named third-team All-MIAA in 2009, she suffered the season-ending knee injury just 11 matches in last year. As a sophomore, Mach averaged 2.11 kills, 0.60 blocks and 0.45 digs per set while ranking fourth on the team with 274 kills.
For the year, Mach has averaged 1.88 kills and 0.45 blocks per set. The Wahoo, Neb., native totaled a season-high 12 kills against Northern State on Sept. 3 and has reached double-figure kills on four occasions, including back-to-back matches against Cal Baptist (10) and Regis (10). Mach also put up a season-high four blocks against Minnesota State Moorhead on Sept. 2.
Shires Enters 22nd Year as Winningest Coach in School History
Head Coach Rose Shires is the all-time winningest coach in 41 years of UNO volleyball history. In her 22nd year at the helm of the Maverick program, Shires owns a career record of 426-254 (.626), the most wins of the five coaches who have served at Nebraska Omaha.
The 1996 AVCA National Coach of the Year and a two-time conference coach of the year, Shires has enjoyed tremendous success as UNO's guide. The 1996 campaign saw her lead UNO to a national championship as well as its first North Central Conference championship since 1987, followed by an Elite Eight appearance in 1997. In NCAA Tournament play, Shires' squads have combined for 11 appearances and a 10-10 postseason mark.
Shires is assisted by Associate Head Coach Karen Povondra, who is in her 22nd season with UNO, and Assistant Coach Tanya Cate, who is in her second year on the Maverick staff.
Kids Growing Up In the Heartland
The 2011 UNO roster is loaded with local talent, as 14 of the 17 players listed hail from nine Nebraska towns. Two pairs of student-athletes also come from the same high school programs -- senior middle blocker Brittany Hanssen and freshman setter Bailey Baxter are both products of Grand Island Central Catholic, while junior middle blocker Lizzy Mach and freshman middle blocker Alyssa Stanek both played at Bishop Neumann in Wahoo.
Hanssen Hits Career High in Blocks at Bradley, Moves Into Program Top 20
Senior middle blocker Brittany Hanssen led the Mavericks' effort to outblock Bradley 12-9 on Aug. 26, putting up a career-high eight blocks against the Braves. For the weekend, the Grand Island, Neb., native averaged 1.36 blocks per set, totaling 15 over three matches. Over her first three years at UNO, Hanssen had tied her previous career high of seven blocks on four occasions.
This season, Hanssen has averaged a team-leading 0.92 blocks per set, and she has four matches with five or more stops. She recently broke into UNO's all-time career blocks list, ranking 20th with 286 total blocks. Hanssen is also 13th with 275 block assists as a Maverick.
UNO Welcomes Seven Freshmen to Roster
In its first year as a Division I program, UNO has welcomed seven freshmen to campus -- setter Bailey Baxter (Grand Island, Neb.), outside hitter Kimberly Bailey (Lincoln, Neb.), defensive specialist Rachelle Kruml (Ord, Neb.) and middle blockers Valerie Hecht (Bern, Kan.), Alyssa Stanek (Ceresco, Neb.), Jessy Schroedter (Fremont, Neb.) and Diane Banderas (Lincoln, Neb.). Armed with multiple all-state awards and four players who participated in the Nebraska High School All-Star Game (Bailey, Baxter, Banderas, Stanek), the group of newcomers will provide a solid foundation as UNO prepares for Summit League competition in the coming years.
At the CEFCU Classic in Peoria, Ill., Schroedter was the lone Maverick newcomer to see game action. She appeared in six sets over two matches on Aug. 26, totaling five kills, three blocks and two digs. At last weekend's Colorado Premier Challenge, Schroedter totaled seven kills and four blocks over three matches.
The UNO Showcase saw Kruml earn playing time in two sets against Northern State.
2011 UNO NEWCOMERS
Kimberly Bailey -- Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln North Star)
Third-team Super State, Second-team all-state (2010)
Diane Banderas -- Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest)
All-state honorable mention (2010)
Bailey Baxter -- Grand Island, Neb. (Central Catholic)
Two-time all-state selection (2009-10)
Valerie Hecht -- Bern, Kan. (Bern)
Two-time all-state (2009-10)
Rachelle Kruml -- Ord, Neb. (Ord)
Two-time all-state honorable mention (2009-10)
Jessy Schroedter -- Fremont, Neb. (Archbishop Bergan)
All-state honorable mention (2010)
Alyssa Stanek -- Ceresco, Neb. (Bishop Neumann)
Two-time all-state (2009-10)
All-Conference Honorees Lead Mavs in 2011
UNO returns four players to its 2011 roster who have earned all-conference honors -- junior middle blocker Lizzy Mach, senior setter Emily Myers, senior libero Angie Reicks and junior outside hitter Natalie Ebke. Reicks garnered second-team All-MIAA status in 2009, while Mach and Myers were selected to the third team. Ebke was an honorable mention pick in 2010.
UNO has had 46 players combine for 78 All-MIAA or All-NCC accolades. In year one of their transition to Division I and full membership in The Summit League, the Mavericks will be ineligible for all-league recognition this season.
2010-11 Squad Earns 12th Straight AVCA Academic Award
The UNO volleyball earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Team Academic Award for the 12th straight year, the AVCA announced in July. As a team, the Mavericks recorded a 3.68 grade-point average during the 2010-11 academic year to claim the honor, which was their 12th straight and 15th overall.
The annual AVCA award honors collegiate and high school volleyball programs that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Up Next for the Mavs
UNO returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 27, hosting South Dakota at Sapp Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. The match also marks Senior Night, and the Mavs will honor seniors Emily Myers, Angie Reicks and Brittany Hanssen with special festivities.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballWednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
