KEARNEY, Neb. - The Newman volleyball team dropped its final two matches at the UNK Fall Classic, dropping matches to #7 Nebraska-Kearney and Mesa State at the Health & Sports Center in Kearney, Neb.

#7 Nebraska-Kearney 3, Newman 0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-19)
Newman (3-5) opened its first match of the final day of the UNK Fall Classic with its second nationally-ranked opponent of the week, the No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers.

A slow start cost the Jets in the opening set, as Nebraska-Kearney (6-2) took a 4-0 early lead. Newman countered with back-to-back points, but the Lopers answered with four-straight points to push their lead to 8-3. Newman couldn't find a way to narrow the gap to less than four points for the remainder of the set, as UNK ran away with the 25-12 win to take a 1-0 edge.

UNK followed suit in the second set, jumping to a 9-3 lead, but Newman answered with a 5-0 run behind the service of Jeana Farruggia to draw to within one, 9-8, but a 4-0 Lopers spurt was enough to give the hosts a lead they would not give up en route to the 25-18 win.

The Jets started to figure things out in the third set. This time Newman took the early 2-0 lead, and held the lead until the 7-7 mark. Just as the Jets had taken an 11-9 lead, the Lopers rallied to tie the set at 11-11. Neither team was able to claim a lead of more than two points until the Lopers took a 20-17 lead late in the match. From there, UNK finished the match on a 5-2 run to secure the sweep.

Chelsey Potter's six kills led the Jets in the loss. The senior also added eight digs to the cause. Freshman Lyndsey Martini posted 19 assists in the match, while Amanda's nine digs was enough to lead the Newman defense.

Mesa State 3, Newman 0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18)
Newman (3-6) had its chances to open the match against Mesa State. The Jets turned to Karol Marins, Chelsey Potter, and Jeana Farruggia for their offense. Marins and Potter posted four kills to lead the Jets in the opening set, while Farruggia added three. The Jets forced six ties and four lead changes, but Mesa State was able to sneak away with the 25-21 first-set win.

Mesa State controlled most of the second set, but the Jets made things interesting at the end. Newman drew to within 22-20 near the end of the set, but the Mavericks scored the final three points to earn the 25-20 win.

The third set was a frustrating one for the Jets. Newman had the chances it needed to win the set, but couldn't capitalize when it counted. Mesa State won the final set 25-18 to secure the sweep.

Chelsey Potter's nine kills led the Jets, while Jeana Farruggia finished with seven kills. Lyndsey Martini's 27 assists was a team high, while Kristen White added 12 digs to lead all defensive players.

With the loss, the Jets fall to 3-6 on the season. They will return to action Thursday, opening Heartland Conference play at St. Mary's.