By: Ellie Brecht
University of Nebraska Omaha head volleyball coach, Rose Shires, has made her mark in yet another category. Winning her 500th career win as head coach at UNO made Shires just the 79th active coach across Division I, II and III to do so.
Despite the lofty number of wins, Shires prides herself on the relationships she has within the program, as well as the impact she has on the players as individuals.
Notes left all over Shires desk and white board in her office by her players suggest that they value that same thing in return.
“It’s clear that she really cares about us as people,” said sophomore setter Kelli Nee. “It’s not like she just cares about how we benefit her on the court.”
The uncommon bond between Shires and her team has been reflected in the Mavericks impressive start to conference play this fall. After a difficult non-conference schedule that kicked off the season, Omaha started conference 7-0.
Shires and the Mavericks look to stay at the top of the Summit League as they prepare to head to Denver for the conference tournament Nov. 16-18.
Although Maverick fans, along with Shires, her staff and her team are all hoping to go as far as wins take them this season, to them it’s about the authentic relationships built in the process.
“The wins are great,” said Shires. “But it’s more about the little victories every day.”
Ellie Brecht is a senior at the University of Nebraska Omaha. As a member of the UNO women’s basketball team, her passion for sports and storytelling comes naturally. She is a sports reporter for Maverick Sports on The Omaha News and hopes to continue her career in sideline reporting. Ellie is planning to receive her degree in Journalism and Media Communications this upcoming May 2019.
