Box Score FORT SMITH, Ark. – Newman volleyball dropped a close five-set match to defeating Heartland Conference champions Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday (Sept. 14) at Stubblefield Center. The Lady Jets fell to 2-4 on the season and 0-2 in the Heartland Conference.
 
UAFS started hot in the first set, winning 25-11. The Lady Lions hit .387 in the set, while NU was held to -.054 in the set.
 
After dropping the first set, the Lady Jets responded to win the next two. In the second set, NU won a close one, 27-25. With the Lady Jets down 23-18, NU went on a 6-0 run to take a 24-23 advantage. After two straight UAFS points, NU closed out the set with three points for the 27-25 win.
 
With NU having momentum, the Lady Jets jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third set. NU controlled the set for the 25-22 win.
 
In the fourth set, the score was tied at 10-10, but UAFS went on a 15-5 run to end the set, including five straight points to end the set and force a fifth set.
 
With the fifth set tied at 9-9, the host Lady Lions went on a 4-0 run to gain control of the set at 13-9. UAFS won the match with a 15-11 set five victory.
 
Making her first appearance this season, Jeana Farruggia led the Lady Jets with a match-high 15 kills and hit .256. She added seven digs. Alexus Litts had a double-double with a team-high 27 assists and 12 digs. Tori Alderson totaled 23 digs, a team high.
 
The Lady Jets play their home opener on Thursday (Sept. 19) against Texas-Permian Basin at 7 p.m. at Fugate Gymnasium.