Mavericks NCAA Tourney Bound
Courtesy UNO Sports
VERMILLION, S.D. - For the first time in program history, the Omaha Mavericks are going to the NCAA Division I Tournament after reverse sweeping No. 1 Kansas City 3-2 in the Summit League Championship finals on Tuesday.
With 19 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, including one national title in 1996, the Mavericks will play in the Division I Tournament for the first time ever. Omaha had previously finished as the Summit League runner-up four times.
McKenna Ruch was named the Tournament MVP, while Shayla McCormick and Rachel Fairbanks both made the All-Tournament team as well.
Set by Set:
(18-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-12, 15-11)From the start both teams came out swinging as neither one let the other fully take control of the court. Ruch accounted for more than half of Omaha's scoring early on as she racked up five kills and three blocks halfway through the set. The Roos began pulling away towards the end, though, outscoring the Mavericks 10-3 down the stretch to go up 1-0.
Kansas City remained in the driver's seat at the beginning of set two, forcing a quick Omaha timeout as they went up 12-8. The Mavericks would cut the deficit to three on a few occasions thanks to kills from McCormick and Fairbanks and the second solo block from Emily Huss, but each time the Roos would bounce back and regrow their lead, ultimately taking the set.
Facing elimination, the Mavericks had their best start yet, going up 11-8. Kali Jurgensmeier and McCormick had three kills each, while Rachel Fairbanks knocked in back-to-back kills to draw out a Kansas City timeout. However, the Roos quickly recovered and retook a 15-14 lead. Down 20-17, Omaha fought back to tie it 21-21 following two straight blocks from Ruch. After McCormick got it to set point, Huss made the one-handed block to get the Mavericks their first set of the night.
The Mavericks did not let up as they came out to a commanding 7-1 lead in the fourth. The Roos did rally to cut the lead to 15-12, only for Omaha to score 10 unanswered points to win the set. Ruch turned in an absolutely dominant performance during this run, scoring seven of the 10 points, including the last five, on two kills and five blocks.
After the Roos scored the first point, the Mavericks came right back to take a 3-1 lead and never relinquished it again. Ruch added two more kills and a block during the set, while Fairbanks had three kills herself. In the end, it was Jurgensmeier who punched Omaha's ticket to the NCAA Tournament with her fourth and final kill of the set.
Inside the Box Score
With 18 total blocks tonight, the Mavericks not only set a new season high, but recorded their most blocks in a match since October 19, 2018 against Purdue Fort Wayne.
Ruch had 14 total blocks in the match, setting a new program record in the Division I era and tying its all-time single-match record. With her team-leading 15 kills, she also earned her first double-double of the season.
Ivy Leuck earned her third double-double of the season with 32 assists and a career-best 13 digs.
Fairbanks and McCormick also had double-doubles, each setting career-highs in digs in the process with Fairbanks getting 27 and McCormick recording 30. Omaha's 108 team digs are its most since having 110 against South Dakota on November 3, 2017.
Up Next
With a spot in the NCAA Tournament locked in, the Mavericks will now look to the selection show on Sunday November 26, at 5 p.m. to learn who they will face in the first round. The first round and second rounds will take place from November 30 - December 2.
