MATCH NOTES
WICHITA - The Newman volleyball team finally gets a chance to play in front of its home crowd this weekend. Thursday evening the Jets host the St. Edward's Hilltoppers in a 7 p.m. contest , before hosting the Dallas Baptist Patriots Saturday at noon. Both games will be played in Newman's Fugate Gymnasium.
St. Edward's at Newman
Thursday, Sept. 23 || 7 p.m. || Fugate Gymnasium || Wichita, Kan. || Live Stats || Live Video
Newman brings a 5-6 record into Thursday's match after sweeping its Heartland Conference openers last weekend. The Jets picked up their first-ever win over St. Mary's in a 3-1 win over the Rattlers Thursday in San Antonio, then earned a 3-0 sweep of Texas A&M International Saturday in Laredo. .
The Jets are led offensively by Chelsey Potter, a 5-7 senior from Cheney, Kan., who has 89 kills this season, and is one of three Jets with more than 70 kills. Freshman Lyndsey Martini has been the one responsible for getting the ball to Potter, posting 213 set assists through 11 games in 2010. Defensively, the Jets use a team approach. Three Jets have 80 or more digs this season, led by Potter, who has 96 digs. Reigning Heartland Conference Libero of the Week Kristen White has 85 digs, while Amanda Savage is close behind with 83 digs.
St. Edward's, meanwhile, brings an identical 6-5 record into the match after dropping back-to-back matches to West Texas A&M and Tarleton State. The Hilltoppers are led by Whitney Rhoden, who has 110 kills this season. Chelsea Barsamian, this week's Heartland Conference Setter of the Week, has been the one primarily responsible for getting the ball to Barsamian, racking up 328 set assists through 11 games this season. Defensively, Michelle Hundt does the majority of the dirty work for the Hilltoppers, with 195 digs this season.
Dallas Baptist at Newman
Saturday, Sept. 25 || 12 p.m. || Fugate Gymnasium || Wichita, Kan. || Live Stats || Live Video
The Jets conclude their first homestand of the season by hosting the Dallas Baptist Patriots Saturday afternoon. DBU is 7-6 this season after picking up a 3-1 win over Midwestern State Tuesday evening on the Mustangs' home floor in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Kaylyn Frink is the primary offensive threat for the Patriots, amassing 143 kills through 13 matches this season, but Becky Swann is not far behind with 119 kills. The Patriots have two setters that like to try to find Frink. Tyler Bradsher is DBU's leading assist-scorer, racking up 225 set assists this season, while May Allen has 213 assists. Defensively, the Patriots are led by Frink's 154 digs. She is one of four Patriots with 100-or-more digs this season.
