Growing from Year One to Year Two
Sep 16, 2026 | Volleyball
OMAHA, Neb. - Head Omaha Volleyball coach Matt Buttermore has seen during Omaha's practices the strides outside hitter Lara Marić has made since her freshman season.Â
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"She's made one of the biggest improvements on the team since last fall," Buttermore said. "The (Labor Day weekend matches) were the first time you really that on display."Â
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The 6-foot-4 sophomore has put that kind of high-level play on display since then as the Mavericks (6-3) head into their final nonconference match at 3 p.m. Saturday against Kansas State at Baxter Arena.Â
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"I felt after last season I had a big drive to improve and get better, so I worked really hard in the offseason," Marić said.Â
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Marić played in 22 matches for Omaha last fall and finished with double-digit kills one time. This month, she has reached double-digit kills in seven straight matches heading into Saturday.Â
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Marić delivered a career-best 17 kills in a five-setter against Western Michigan to open the Labor Day weekend tournament. She also had 17 kills in a four-set match against Northern Arizona last weekend.Â
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She's averaging a team-best 12.1 kills per match and is the only Maverick with more than 100 kills this season. She has 109.Â
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Her hitting efficiency has spiked this season as well. Marić hit at a .114 clip as a freshman, but this season she's at a .277 efficiency rate.Â
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Buttermore said Marić 's attacking technique is much better this season. But Omaha's practice gym wasn't the only place Marić worked on her game in the offseason. Â
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Marić, who is from Brisbane, Australia, played for the Australian Senior National Team in the Southeast Asia Cup, which took place in the Philippines in June.Â
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"She was one of the leading hitters (for Australia)," Buttermore said. "She got confidence from it;Â that's for sure."Â
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Marić said a couple of her teammates from the national team are also Division I players. Marić has gotten used to the style of play in college after adjusting her game as a freshman.Â
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"When I landed in Omaha last year, it was my first time in America," said Marić, who also has made family trips to Serbia. "I feel I have more confidence now because I know what to expect, even outside of volleyball."Â
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Marić has been an effective threat from the right side in Omaha's offense.Â
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"When you have a good right-side hitter, it makes things go a lot easier. It makes things more fun," Buttermore said.Â
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But Marić 's role for the Mavericks has also expanded in other areas. She's second on the team in blocks with 21 and is among the team leaders in service aces with nine.Â
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Marić, who was only a front-row player for Omaha last season, had back-to-back aces in the fifth set against Western Michigan. She also had three aces during Tuesday's road win over Drake.Â
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Marić likes the chemistry the Mavericks are building with Summit League play set to begin next week.Â
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"As we put all the pieces together, I think we'll have a good team," Marić said.Â
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The Mavericks will face Kansas State at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 19. Â
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Saturday will be Girls and Women in Sports Day at Baxter Arena as a part of the #402ForHer campaign, which is designed to celebrate the amazing women who have built a strong tradition of women's sports in Omaha. Â
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Students will receive a free Omaha-themed pickleball paddle in the student section. Â
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Tickets are available now at OmahaMavs.com/Tickets or by calling 402-554-MAVS. All Omaha home games are shown on the Summit League Network powered by MidCo Sports. Â
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Connect with Omaha Volleyball on XÂ and Instagram, @OmahaVB. Â Â
