The Newman University volleyball team, under first-year coach Destiny Clark, finally gets to spend some time at home.
The Jets begin a six-game home stand as they play host to St. Edward’s at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in Fugate Gymnasium.
But the road has been very good for Newman.
The Jets are currently on a six-match winning streak, including two Heartland Conference wins. For the season, NU is 8-4 and 2-1 in the Heartland Conference. In their most recent matches, NU defeated UTPB, 3-0, in Odessa, Texas, and won, 3-2, at Lubbock Christian in Lubbock, Texas. The winning streak started with a 4-0 weekend at the Arkansas Tech Tournament on Sept. 11-12.
NU swept the Heartland Conference Volleyball Player of the Week honors on Monday, Sept. 21. Ashley Gonzalez was named the Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week, and Alexus Litts was named the Heartland Conference Setter of the Week, making this the second time this season both have earned the awards. In addition, Anna Burton was named the Heartland Conference Libero of the Week.
Gonzalez leads the conference in kills per set at 4.14 and a .380 hitting percentage. She has started all 12 matches this season. Litts leads the conference in assists per set at 10.74. Burton ranks in the top five in digs at 5.50 per set.
The St. Edward’s Hilltoppers are 4-7 and 2-1 in the Heartland Conference. They most recently defeated St. Mary’s in five sets in Austin, Texas. Before the win against StMU, SEU lost, 3-1, to Texas A&M International. The Hilltoppers also have a win at Oklahoma Panhandle State by a 3-0 score. Mikayla Grill leads the team with 2.56 kills per set. Jaclyn Billie has a team-high 4.76 assists per set, and Julia Hartley adds 4.28 assists per set. On defense, Morgan Beckham has a team-high 4.10 digs per set and Katie Martin has 3.72 digs per set.
After the St. Edward’s match, the Jets take on Dallas Baptist at noon Saturday, Sept. 26 in Fugate Gymnasium. The Patriots are currently 6-2 and 3-0 in the Heartland Conference with wins over OPSU, StMU and TAMIU.
The Jets play a nonconference match at 4 p.m. on Saturday against Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Rangers are 2-8 on the season.
