11/12/2026 9:59:00 PM | Volleyball
Kansas City records 12 aces and 14 blocks to split season series with the Mavricks
OMAHA, Neb. — Kansas City Volleyball held off Omaha in a five-set battle Thursday night at Baxter Arena, securing a 3-2 victory (25-22, 25-20, 15-25, 25-27, 15-13).
The Roos improved to 12-13 overall and 6-7 in Summit League play, drawing even with the Mavericks in the conference standings with one regular-season match remaining. Omaha fell to 12-11 overall and 6-7 in league action.
Ryanne Wattree and Emry Brown led Kansas City with 13 kills apiece, while Natalie Ptacek added 10. Brown hit at a .238 clip and contributed five digs and three blocks. Mia Weaver finished with seven kills, including four in the deciding set.
Kansas City made its presence felt at the service line and the net, totaling 12 aces and 14 blocks. Mila Zoric delivered four aces and four blocks, while Dani Brey added three aces. Stella Smith anchored the front row with nine blocks, including two solo stops.
Savy Repinski recorded a double-double with 20 assists and 13 digs. Coco Buschhorn matched her with 20 assists and added seven digs, while Chloe Kaminski collected 13 digs and two aces.
Kansas City established an early advantage in the opening set, using a six-point serving run from Repinski to build a 14-4 lead. Omaha worked its way back into contention, but the Roos closed out the set with a block from Wattree and Zoric for a 25-22 victory.
The Roos carried that momentum into the second, hitting .233 while holding Omaha to a .093 clip. Kansas City took the frame 25-20 to move ahead two sets to none.
Omaha responded with a 25-15 third-set win and opened the fourth with seven consecutive points. Kansas City battled back, turning a 22-19 deficit into a 24-22 lead behind a five-point run that included a Wattree kill and a Zoric ace. The Mavericks fought off three match points before taking the set 27-25.
Kansas City regrouped in the fifth. Back-to-back Kaminski aces provided an early lift, and a Brey ace followed by consecutive Weaver kills pushed the Roos ahead 9-5.
Omaha rallied to tie the set at 12 and again at 13, but Kansas City delivered the final two points. Smith's solo block gave the Roos match point, and Wattree finished the night with a kill off a Buschhorn assist to seal the 15-13 victory.
Up Next
Kansas City closes the regular season at St. Thomas on Saturday, Nov. 14. First serve is scheduled for noon CT in St. Paul, Minn.
