Volleyball Hosts Nebraska-Kearney for Exhibition
Aug 19, 2022 | Volleyball
OMAHA, Neb. – The Mavericks will open 2022 play at home with an exhibition vs. the University of Nebraska-Kearney this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Baxter Arena. This will be the first time either squad hits the court this season.
Quick Digs
Scouting Kearney
Lopers to Watch
Series History
The Lopers have the all-time series edge as they lead the Mavericks 34-24 in head-to-head competition. The last time the two teams met was October 25, 2011 at Kearney, when the Lopers took the match in three sets (15-25, 21-25, 19-25). Omaha last came out on top on September 21, 2009 at home when they won 30-19, 30-14, 25-30, 30-26.
Quick Digs
- The Mavericks finished 2021 with a 20-10 overall record, reaching 20 wins for the first time since 2009 (20-14). In conference play, Omaha went 16-2, tying the all-time program record set back in 1996 and securing the No. 1 seed in the Summit League Tournament in the process. Both totals also represent the most wins by the team since transitioning to Division I in 2011.
- Omaha's 20 overall wins and 16 conference victories were the most under head coach Matt Buttermore. Since taking up the position in 2019, Buttermore owns a 52-30 record and has brought the team to the Summit League Finals twice.
- The Mavericks will see four starters and nine letter winners return from the 2021 season.
- Senior Setter Sami Clarkson returns to lead the team after a career year in 2021. The Omaha native earned All-Summit honors last season and was named the Summit League Setter of the Year after leading the league in assists per set (11.18) and finishing second in total assists (1,219). She also notched 30 aces, 218 digs, 48 kills, and 48 blocks in 2021, posting seven double-doubles overall.
- Sophomore Outside Hitter Shayla McCormick also returns following a breakout freshman season. A member of the Summit League All-Freshman Team, she racked up 263 digs and 188 kills, reaching double-digit kills in nine games last year.
- Junior Middle Blocker McKenna Ruch enters the 2022 season with some new hardware as well, having earned All-Summit honors and two Summit League Defensive Player of the Week awards in 2021. Totaling 59 blocks on the year, Ruch recorded at least two per game over the final 13 games of the season.
- Other notable returners include senior Defensive Specialist/Libero Jaiden Centeno and junior Outside Hitter Marriah Buss. Both earned Summit League Honorable Mention honors in 2021, with Centeno finishing seventh in the league in digs per set (3.93, 428 total) and Buss ranking ninth in kills (315) and kills per set (2.97).
- Omaha adds four newcomers to the roster this year: Kali Jurgensmeier, Brynlee Arnold, Morgan DeBow, and former Mavericks' basketball player Mariah Murdie.
Scouting Kearney
- The Lopers finished 26-7 last season, including a 15-5 mark in conference play.
- Kearney advanced to the NCAA Tournament-Central Region as the No. 12 seed, upsetting No. 4 Northwest Missouri State in the opening round before being knocked out in round two by No. 15 Concordia-St. Paul.
- 13 Newcomers join the Lopers this season along with 13 returning players.
Lopers to Watch
- Junior Outside Hitter Emersen Cyza was First Team All-MIAA in 2021 after leading the Lopers in kills (400) and kills per set (3.60). She also had 20 matches with double digit kills.
- Sophomore Outside Hitter Lauren Taubenheim made Second Team All-MIAA last season. She played in all 115 sets for Kearney and had 228 digs.
- Junior Middle Blocker Bailee Sterling also made Second Team All-MIAA in 2021 after recording 209 kills along with 63 blocks.
Series History
The Lopers have the all-time series edge as they lead the Mavericks 34-24 in head-to-head competition. The last time the two teams met was October 25, 2011 at Kearney, when the Lopers took the match in three sets (15-25, 21-25, 19-25). Omaha last came out on top on September 21, 2009 at home when they won 30-19, 30-14, 25-30, 30-26.
Players Mentioned
RS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
