Jets Not Backing Down From Lofty Goals In 2017
WICHITA, Kan. — After posting a second 20-win season in as many tries last fall, the Newman women's volleyball team showed that it's more than capable of keeping its upward trajectory going.
The issue is, with four straight winning seasons and three consecutive trips to the Heartland Conference tournament under their belts, what do the Jets do for an encore?
They finished strong in 2016, winning five of their final six matches to help finish with a 20-11 mark overall and 9-5 in Heartland play in head coach Destiny Clark's second season, and became the only team to have twice taken Arkansas-Fort Smith to five sets in the last two years of the Lions' impressive run.
But Newman won't rest on those laurels.
"I really think — and I think the girls believe it too — that we have a shot at winning the regular season title," Clark said. "Obviously, you want to win the conference and get a chance to play in the NCAA tournament. I think those are the end goals, but that only comes with playing really good volleyball from now until then."
"I always have really high goals and expectations for our team. I set a pretty tough schedule for us this year. I thought we really needed the challenge I wanted that tough schedule in case we're ranked later on in the season, that will help us."
That tough slate begins this weekend, as the Jets head to Memphis, Tennessee for the Christian Brothers tournament. They'll face Tiffin and host CBU on Friday, and Arkansas-Monticello and Assumption on Saturday. They make their debut inside Fugate Gymnasium on Sept. 19 against Park.
Season Breakdown (2016 Statistics in Parentheses)
Setters
Returners: None
Newcomers: Megan Pedersen, So.; Reagen Roth, Fr.
Coach Speak: "I'm very excited about my setters. Having Megan here in the spring was great. She had the time to get to work with our hitters before coming in for the season, and anytime we can get a 6-1, left-handed setter, that makes things fun for me. Reagan is another very smart setter, and she's taken to the offense and is really coachable."
Defensive Specialists/Liberos
Returners: Anna Burton, Sr. (26 MP, 5.80 digs/set, 10 aces); Sarah Peterson, Sr. (12 MP, 1.53 kills/set)
Newcomers: Jadan Heinz, Fr.; Hayley Primas, Fr.; Yareli Ruelas, Fr.
Coach Speak: "Anna is just steady and a constant for us. She's a great example for the younger ones, and we have three freshman defensive specialists. It's going to be great for them to play a year with her. We also have a hitter/DS in Sarah Peterson, who's hitting from the right side but worked really hard over the summer to get reps as a DS, and she'll see some time there."
Middle Blockers
Returners: Yemima Buana, Jr. (30 MP, 1.25 kills/set, 0.85 blocks/set)
Newcomers: Crystal Powell, Jr.
Coach Speak: "We're not real deep in the middle. Mima has been here with me for two years, and I'm so proud because those things we've worked on for those two years are starting to show up consistently for her. She's played really well n our scrimmages, she's been vocal, and I'm excited for her progress. Crystal, to watch her play is very pretty, she's very fluid. They're both really good middles, and they'll give us a big block."
Pin Hitters
Returners: Kayla Turner, Sr. (29 MP, 2.22 kills/set, 3.16 assists/set, 2.82 digs/set, 0.24 blocks/set, 26 aces, all-Heartland); Hailey Braddy, Jr. (30 MP, 2.72 kills/set, 0.33 blocks/set); Emily Harvey, Sr. (31 MP, 3.53 kills/set, 0.50 blocks/set, all-Heartland)
Newcomers: Sophia Helsing, Fr.; Cassie Pauls, Jr.
Coach Speak: "Emily is back on the right side for us, and she's just Emily. She's just a really talented player, and I feel lucky to have her. We're a little deeper on the left side. Kayla is just as consistent as they come, and Hailey Braddy is back on the outside. She's worked really hard to become a more well-rounded player. I feel really good about those two who have been with us. And we also added Cassie Pauls as a junior college transfer and Sophia Helsing, a freshman. Once they get used to our system, they'll be pretty good."
