MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard for the first time all year as they fell to the Omaha Mavericks 3-1 in their tournament opener at the K-State Invitational. The Sugar Bears (4-1) won the first set 25-17 but could not keep the momentum as the Mavericks took the next three to win it. Sophomore Lexi Miller led Central Arkansas with 12 kills while junior Emily Doss led defensively with 16 digs.
 
SET 1 – The Sugar Bears jumped out early after two straight Maverick errors made it 5-2. The Mavericks responded with two straight points and both sides fought back and forth until the Sugar Bears created some separation at point 19. A massive 9-1 run led by two of Miller's seven kills in the set gave Central Arkansas a comfortable 18-11 lead. Omaha tried to stay alive late with a 4-0 run to make it 24-17, but a service error gave Central Arkansas the 25-17 win.
 
SET 2 – The first 12 points of set two were tight as the biggest lead was two. Tied at 8-8, the Mavericks caught fire and went on a 5-0 run to lead 13-8. The Sugar Bears pulled within three after a Mavericks attack error made it 16-13, but a 5-1 response by the team in red and black kept the Sugar Bears away. Omaha awarded Central Arkansas one last chance with three straight errors that made it 21-17 late, but the Mavericks cleaned play up with three straight points to close the match at 25-19.
 
SET 3 – The Sugar Bears quickly fell behind in set three as the Mavericks grabbed an early 6-2 advantage. The Sugar Bears pulled within three thanks to two straight Maverick errors, but Omaha ultimately held the momentum through the first 27 points with an 18-9 lead. Central Arkansas attempted to claw back late after two straight Miller kills and a kill from junior Amari Mitchell made it 18-12, but Omaha responded with a 7-0 run to take the set.
 
SET 4 – The beginning of set four started similar to the third one as the Mavericks held a 6-2 lead. After a Harry kill made it 11-7, the set was decided as Omaha converted an 8-1 run to give to take a strong 19-8 lead. Central Arkansas tried to prolong the set with three straight points that made it to 23-13, but a set error ultimately ended the Sugar Bears' day.
 
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The Sugar Bears will continue tournament play tomorrow evening as they will face the Clemson Tigers at 5 p.m.