box score
WICHITA, Kans. – The University of Texas of the Permian Basin volleyball team faced Newman in a must-win match in order to make the Heartland Conference playoffs, but the Jets came away with a 3-1 (25-15, 13-25, 25-14, 26-24) win over the Falcons, dashing the hopes of a post season berth.
Both UTPB and Newman entered the evening tied with St. Mary's for the fourth and final spot for a post season appearance, but with the Jets win and a St. Mary's loss to St. Edward's, Newman now finds itself in the drivers seat for the final playoff spot.
The Jets took a page out of UTPB's book as they collected 10 total team blocks led by Victoria Green's six block assists. Newman picked up 20 block assists while the Falcons finished with eight assists and two solo blocks.
Newman came out swinging in the opening set, picking up 19 kills with just three errors en route to a 1-0 early lead. The Falcons found themselves in a large hole early, but a service ace by the Jets pulled UTPB within five (15-10). It would come no closer the rest of the set as Newman ended the frame with a 10-5 run. The Jets hit an impressive .421 in the set while holding the Falcons to just six kills and five errors in 32 total attacks.
The Falcons turned the tides in the second set as they broke a 7-7 tie by going on a 10-2 run capped off with a service ace by Keeley Brogdon. She recorded two of the team's aces on the night. The offensive onslaught would continue for UTPB as it finished off the set with an 8-4 run with Brogdon getting the set-winner with one of her five kills in the match. Brogdon had a well-rounded match as she finished without a hitting error, seven digs and two block assists.
The momentum wouldn't last long for UTPB as the Jets opened the third set with a 7-2 lead and never looked back. The Falcons pulled within three (9-6) after a Newman attack error, but the Jets countered with an 8-1 run to take a commanding 17-7 lead. UTPB matched the Jets point-for-point the rest of the way, but could not climb out of the deficit.
The fourth set saw both teams share the lead four times with neither team taking more than a three point lead. UTPB held that three point advantage when Jamie Rodell picked up one of her 10 kills on the night. She had an efficient night offensively with just two errors in 21 attacks for a .381 attack percentage. Newman erased the three-point lead when it tied the set at 20 after a Falcon error, but a service error by the Jets gave UTPB a 21-20 lead. The set would be tied four times after that until the Jets took advantage of back-to-back attack errors by the Falcons which broke a 24-24 tie and ended the match.
UTPB fell to 10-20 overall and 6-6 in Heartland Conference play. Newman improved to 13-15 and 7-4 in league play. The Falcons will finish their season on Saturday when they take on Arkansas-Fort Smith.
