By Ethan Wolbach/Photo courtesy of Kassidy Brown
(OMAHA, NE)— The Mavericks returned home to Baxter Arena Friday night to kick off their 2019 Summit League campaign against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. After ending the non-conference play with a 7-7 record compared to last years 5-8 mark, the Mavericks looked to start Summit League play on a positive note.
In set one, the Mavericks jumped out to a quick 9-5 lead after three powerful kills by Isabella Sade, Claire Leonard and Sadie Limback. Both teams proceeded to trade blows throughout the set until the Fighting Hawks capped off a 5-1 run cutting Omaha’s lead to one, 22-21. The Mavericks six attack errors in the set allowed the Fighting Hawks to steal set one 26-24.
The Fighting Hawks took an early advantage in set two until the Mavericks battled back behind the strong play of sophomore Sadie Limback. Limback tied her career-high in kills with 18, while junior Anna Blaschko also totaled 18 kills in the match, one shy of her career-high. The Mavericks ended the set victorious 25-22. Set two was a true turning point of the match for the Mavericks as the Fighting Hawks were 7-1 on the season previously when winning the second set.
Set three was all Mavericks early, as they jumped out to a 14-8 lead. After a quick timeout, the Fighting Hawks managed to muster together a string of points before the Mavericks went on a 5-0 run to up their lead to eleven, 22-11. A last-ditch effort by the Fighting Hawks came up short as the Mavericks took set three 25-19. In the set, Isabella Sade joined Limback and Blaschko in the double-digit kill club.
The Mavericks looked to finish the match in the fourth set, and they did just that. In dominant fashion, the Mavericks added to their early lead behind back-to-back service aces by freshman Erin Williams. The Mavericks then kept their foot on the gas for the rest of the match leading by double digits and finishing off the Fighting Hawks 25-11. The Mavericks won the match 3-1 to start Summit League play 1-0.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks will aim to ride this momentum on Sunday as they are back in action against the North Dakota State Bison at 1 pm. You can listen to all the action on MavRadio.fm with Ben Helwig and Owen Godberson on the call.
