OMAHA, Neb. – Needing a victory to right the ship after a tough start to the road trip, the IUPUI volleyball team (7-14, 3-3) showed fantastic composure Saturday night (Oct. 8) against the Omaha Mavericks (4-16, 1-5), dropping their opponent in straight-sets (25-23, 25-22, 25-22) to move back to .500 in Summit League contests.
 
Showing much improvement on one of the biggest areas in need, the Jags combined to hit .297 as a team, limiting the Mavericks to a .216 clip.  True to their identity, the Jags out-blocked their opposition seven to two, receiving a solid effort from Haley Hoffman who got her first action of the season over the weekend.  Hoffman picked up three block assists, Logan Walling had three total, and Alexis Mapes added one solo block and two block assists.  Mapes also tossed 37 assists on the night, regularly setting up Gabby Fisher and Kori Waelbroeck who both went off for double-digit kills.  Waelbroeck led all players with 15 kills, while Fisher added 13 kills and seven digs.  Elizabeth Scott was solid for the Jags, adding six kills, eight digs and three service aces. 
 
Staying strong at a time when the team needed it most, the Jags benefitted from mental fortitude late in the first set.  Tied at 22, the Jags actually fell behind on a kill by Kayla Torson of Omaha to give them a one-point deficit.  Scott came up big with a kill to once again tie the affair, setting the Jags up with two crucial points.  The Jags would stay strong, as an error by Omaha and a block by the Jags handed IUPUI the set, 25-23. 
 
Set two featured a similar storyline to set one, as once again the two teams were tied at 22-22 late.  The Jags again benefitted from late errors by the Mavericks, as well as a pair of blocks by the Jags, to eventually take the set, 25-22.  The Jags committed just one attack error in the set, compared to seven for Omaha.
 
Tied at 21-21 late in the third set, Fisher came through with a pair of huge points for the Jags, the first a kill followed by a service ace.  Forcing an Omaha timeout, the Mavericks still fell apart in the end, committing two costly errors to give the set and the match to IUPUI, 25-22. 
 
With the victory, the Jags will look to build upon their record with a four-match stretch all taking place at home.  The Jags will first face Oral Roberts Friday (Oct. 14), followed by a Tuesday (Oct. 18) slate with Fort Wayne.
 
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