KEARNEY, Neb. - The Newman volleyball team earned a split in the first day of the Best Western/Runza Fall Classic, which opened Friday at the Health & Sport Center in Kearney, Neb. The Jets notched a 3-1 win over in-state rival and MIAA foe Fort Hays State in their opening match, then fell 3-0 to Bemidji State in the nightcap.

Newman 3, Fort Hays State 1
The Jets (1-0) saw a late lead disappear in the first set as Fort Hays (0-1) rallied for a 25-23 win, but Newman was in control from that point forward, winning the next three sets for the 3-1 win. Newman won the final three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-15, and 25-23.

Junior Chelsey Potter led the Jets with 15 kills in the match thanks to a .256 hitting percentage. Senior Lauren Poe added 11 more kills, while Caroline Painter led all setters with 31 assists in the winning cause.

As a team, the Jets posted a team attack percentage of .166, and committed just 21 attack errors, while the Tigers committed 37. Newman is back in action at 4:45 this afternoon as they take on the Bemidji State Beavers in their second game of the tournament.

Bemidji State 3, Newman 0
Newman (1-1) dropped a two-point decision, 25-23, in the opening set, but fell victim to 23 attack errors in its first loss of the season. The Jets posted a .065 hitting percentage, compared to Bemidji State (1-1)'s .219 hitting clip.

Senior Angie Bennett led the Jets with eight kills while Chelsey Potter added seven kills in the match. Senior Lauren Poe finished with six kills hitting the ball at a .208 percentage.

The Jets are back in action Saturday at noon when they take on the host team, sixth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney. They conclude their tournament at 4:45 that afternoon as they square off against regional foe Rockhurst.