Box Score WICHITA – Newman volleyball defeated Texas-Permian Basin in an exciting five-set match, 3-2, to win its home opener. After falling behind 2-1, NU won the final two sets to get the win.The victory is the first in the Heartland Conference for the Lady Jets as they improved to 1-2 in the conference and 3-4 overall.
 
With NU down 12-10 in the first set, the Lady Jets controlled the rest of the set, rolling to a 25-17 set win. The Jets started with a 7-1 run, and also closed with a 5-1 win to pull away.
 
In set two, it looked like the Falcons would close out the set at 24-18, but the Lady Jets won six-straight points, including three Jeana Farruggia kills. With the score tied at 25-25, UTPB won two-straight points to even the match at 1-1 with the 27-25 set win.
 
The Falcons continued with their momentum in the third set, pulling out to an early 12-7 advantage. The Lady Jets stormed back to tie the score at 17-17. The match was tied at 22-22, but then two NU miscues gave UTPB set point. The Falcons closed the set with a service ace for a 25-22 win.
 
In the fourth set, the Lady Jets flew out to a 9-4 advantage. NU wasn't challenged the rest of the set as they cruised to a 25-19 set four victory.
 
UTPB started the fifth set with three-straight points for an early lead. The Lady Jets responded with a 6-1 run, forcing UTPB to take a timeout as they trailed 6-4. NU held the lead for the rest of the set, and kills by Jarin Braithwait, Farruggia, Alexis Roecker and Mali Wright put the match away for the Lady Jets as they won 15-11 in the final set.
 
Braithwait put down a match-high 21 kills and hit .386. She also had seven digs and three total blocks. Also with double digit kills were Farruggia and Wright with 17 and 12, respectively. Alexus Litts totaled 40 assists, a match high, and Lexi Kuharich had 23 assists. Libero Tori Alderson's 23 digs were a match high.
 
The Lady Jets welcome Lubbock Christian to Fugate Gymnasium on Saturday (Sept. 21) for a 12 p.m. match.