By: Cody Harms, Sports Reporter
OMAHA, Neb.— The Omaha Volleyball Team secured its first regular season conference championship since becoming a division one program this past fall.
The Mavericks claimed a Summit League Conference high, three individual awards during the 2021 season, including Setter of the Year, Sami Clarkson.
Clarkson said the key to keeping the winning momentum going during the spring season is simple.
“We only have one transfer this year but were going to have some new freshman coming in this summer. We want to have a strong culture of excellence and hard work so that when we’re going into the fall it comes easily,” said Clarkson.
For Clarkson and junior teammate, Rachel Fairbanks this is their first spring season since joining the Mavericks because of Covid-19.
Fairbanks said the pair didn’t know what to expect but both want to see growth from the team on and off the court.
“You see everyone develop throughout their college career into beautiful girls and I’m excited to see where all of their careers take them,” Fairbanks said.
Defending their crown next fall comes with a target on the teams back. Clarkson said winning the conference is huge but makes her and her teammates even hungrier.
“I think it just drives us harder to work especially right now in the spring and summer before we can compete in the fall. We need to push hard in the last five minutes because that’s where it matters; in the fifth set. That’s the difference between us winning the tournament or not,” said Clarkson.
Omaha will look to build off last season, but with every new year, brings new challenges. Fairbanks said Summit League Coach of the Year, Matt Buttermore’s message to the team going into next season is to stay mentally and physically sharp.
“We’re embracing the butterflies as he likes to say so we know that we’ve had a taste of that championship but now were embracing them butterflies as he says and moving forward,” Fairbanks said.
Clarkson and Fairbanks both agreed they will be taking on more leadership roles on the team this fall. The two are the only seniors on the team that have competed for Omaha their entire collegiate career.
