Volleyball Tabbed to Repeat in 2024 Summit League Preseason Poll
Aug 27, 2024 | Volleyball
Two Mavericks named conference Players to Watch
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Omaha volleyball, coming off the program's first NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship appearance, was tabbed to finish the regular season in the top slot in the 2024 Summit League preseason coaches' poll, as announced Tuesday by the conference office.
The Mavericks seek a third Summit League regular season title entering the campaign. Finishing last season 15-14 (12-4 Summit League), Omaha received eight first-place votes to lead the poll, followed by Denver with one first-place vote.
Graduate middle blocker McKenna Ruch was named a conference Player to Watch, nominated by the conference coaches. The Omaha, Neb. native was named to the 2023 All-League First Team and was the Summit League Championship most valuable player after totaling a team leading 299 kills, a .281 hitting percentage and 132 blocks, all of which ranked in the top 10 among Summit League players. Ruch had 19 matches with double-digit kills and seven matches with at least seven blocks and was a Summit League Offensive Peak Performer of the Week on Oct. 17 after recording 25 kills and five blocks in two wins.
Ruch was also crowned Summit League Peak Performer of the Month for November after producing 81 kills and 45 blocks in seven matches including 14 blocks in the championship match against Kansas City (Nov. 21).
Additionally, junior outside hitter Kali Jurgensmeier was named a Summit League Player to Watch. After overcoming injury, Jurgensmeier made an impact appearing in 12 matches with seven starts and 39 sets played. In that time, she recorded 95 kills, 30 digs and 21 total blocks and notched double-digit kills in four matches with the title clinching kill against Kansas City (Nov. 21) in the Summit League Championship.
2024 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
The reigning Summit League champions commence the 2024 campaign at Baxter Arena on Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. CT when the Mavericks take on (RV) Houston as part of the Omaha Invite presented by Sarpy County Tourism. Tickets are on-sale now at OMavs.com/Tix.
Â
The Mavericks seek a third Summit League regular season title entering the campaign. Finishing last season 15-14 (12-4 Summit League), Omaha received eight first-place votes to lead the poll, followed by Denver with one first-place vote.
Graduate middle blocker McKenna Ruch was named a conference Player to Watch, nominated by the conference coaches. The Omaha, Neb. native was named to the 2023 All-League First Team and was the Summit League Championship most valuable player after totaling a team leading 299 kills, a .281 hitting percentage and 132 blocks, all of which ranked in the top 10 among Summit League players. Ruch had 19 matches with double-digit kills and seven matches with at least seven blocks and was a Summit League Offensive Peak Performer of the Week on Oct. 17 after recording 25 kills and five blocks in two wins.
Ruch was also crowned Summit League Peak Performer of the Month for November after producing 81 kills and 45 blocks in seven matches including 14 blocks in the championship match against Kansas City (Nov. 21).
Additionally, junior outside hitter Kali Jurgensmeier was named a Summit League Player to Watch. After overcoming injury, Jurgensmeier made an impact appearing in 12 matches with seven starts and 39 sets played. In that time, she recorded 95 kills, 30 digs and 21 total blocks and notched double-digit kills in four matches with the title clinching kill against Kansas City (Nov. 21) in the Summit League Championship.
2024 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank | School | Points (1st) | 2023 Record (SL) |
| 1. | Omaha | 64 (8) | 15-14 (12-4) |
| 2. | Denver | 51 (1) | 14-12 (12-4) |
| 3. | South Dakota | 49Â | 18-11 (12-4) |
| 4. | North Dakota State | 44 | 18-11 (9-7) |
| 5. | Kansas City | 39 | 22-9 (12-4) |
| 6. | South Dakota State | 31 | 9-20 (7-9) |
| 7. | North Dakota | 20 | 7-21 (4-12) |
| 8. | St. Thomas | 17 | 7-20 (3-13) |
| 9. | Oral Roberts | 9 | 3-25 (1-15) |
The reigning Summit League champions commence the 2024 campaign at Baxter Arena on Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. CT when the Mavericks take on (RV) Houston as part of the Omaha Invite presented by Sarpy County Tourism. Tickets are on-sale now at OMavs.com/Tix.
Â
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballTuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
