MATCH NOTES
The Newman volleyball team will open its final weekend of the regular season with its most important game of the year when the Jets host Texas-Permian Basin at 7 p.m. Thursday inside Fugate Gymnasium. A win would punch a ticket to Austin, Texas for the team's first-ever Heartland Conference tournament appearance. The Jets will conclude their season Saturday when they host Oklahoma Panhandle State at 1 p.m.
Texas-Permian Basin at Newman
Thurs., Nov. 4, 2010 || 7 p.m. || Fugate Gymnasium || Wichita, Kan. || Live Stats || Live Video
Newman will look to salvage a season split with the Texas-Permian Basin Falcons when the two teams square off Thursday at 7 p.m. in Newman's Fugate Gymnasium. The Falcons are 10-19 this season, and have lost three of their last four contests after being dealt a non-conference sweep by Tarleton State on Tuesday, Dec. 6 in UTPB's Falcon Dome. Road games have proven to be a challenge for the Falcons, who are just 1-7 on the road. Their one road win was a 3-0 win at Texas A&M International on Oct. 16 in Laredo.
UTPB is led by Alex Genung, a 5-7 junior with 252 kills (2.29 kills/set) to her name this season. Genung is one of three Falcons with 200-or-more kills this season. Sara Torres is the Falcons' go-to setter with 510 assists this season, while Danae Eckart is UTPB's leading defensive player with 419 digs this season.
Falcon head coach Steve Aicinena is in his 16th year at UTPB, where he also serves as the school's athletic director.
Oklahoma Panhandle State at Newman
Sat., Nov. 6, 2010 || 1 p.m. || Fugate Gymnasium || Wichita, Kan. || Live Stats || Live Video
The Jets conclude their 2010-11 regular season with a meeting with the Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.. OPSU has struggled to a 6-23 record this season, and have lost 11-straight after being swept by St. Edward's on Oct. 23 in Goodwell.
Oklahoma Panhandle State poses a double threat on the front line. Meredith Powell, a 5-9 senior, leads the 2010 Aggies with 234 kills, while Hillary Isleifson is right behind her with 222 kills. Jordan Swafford is OPSU's primary setter, with 639 assists through 29 matches. The Aggies use a team approach to defense, as five players have 100-or-more digs. Megan Gwatney leads all defensive players with 225 digs, and is the only Aggie with 200-or-more digs this season.
Aggie head coach Mike Stephens is in his second season at OPSU.
