KEARNEY, Neb.- The Newman volleyball team rallied back to salvage a split in the final day of the Best Western/Runza Fall Classic, which concluded Saturday at the Health & Sport Center in Kearney, Neb.

Newman 3, Rockhurst 2
Senior Angie Bennett and junior Chelsey Potter recorded Newman's first double-doubles of the 2009 season as the Jets held off Rockhurst for a 3-2 five-set thriller in their final game at the Best Western/Runza Fall Classic in Kearney, Neb. Bennett posted 12 kills and 10 digs, while Potter finished with 17 digs and 14 kills.In the most evenly-matched match of the Jets' young season, Newman saw a late lead slip away in the first set, which Rockhurst won 25-23. The Jets countered with a 25-22 win in set two, tying the match at 1-1 heading into the third set.

Rockhurst came out strong, taking an early 10-3 lead, holding Newman to a .065 hitting percentage, and seemingly taking the momentum into the fourth set after a 25-10 win.

The Jets turned on the afterburners in the fourth set, jumping out to an 8-1 lead, and riding a .271 hitting clip to a 25-21 set win, and forcing a decisive fifth set.

Newman made the final statement in the firth set, using a balanced attacking effort to take a 7-3 lead, en route to a 15-11 set decision, and a 3-2 match victory.

Senior Lauren Poe led the Jets offensive effort with a season-high 16 kills, while freshman Sarah Bailey finished with 12 kills. Senior Amy Shorette dug 26 Rockhurst attacks, helping Caroline Painter to a season-high 52 asssist in the winning effort.

#6 Nebraska-Kearney 3, Newman 0
The Jets set the pace in the opening set, taking advantage of several early UNK errors and forcing the hosts to play from behind up to the 11-11 point of the set. The Lopers woke up in a hurry, using a 12-3 run to take control of a set they would go on to win by a 25-18 count.

It was all Lopers from there as UNK went on to a 25-15 win in the second set, then took the third set by a 25-14 margin.

Lauren Poe and Angie Bennett each finished with six kills in the match to lead the Jets to a .142 hitting clip. Ashley Myers added 16 assists to the cause.

The Jets return to action next Friday when they travel to Maryville, Mo., to participate in the Northwest Missouri State Comfort INNvitational. They will face Quincy in a 10 a.m. tournament opener Friday morning.