BETHANY, OKLA – The Newman Jets volleyball team struggled to get things going against Southern Nazarene Tuesday (Sept. 25), falling to the Storm in straight sets. The Jets fall to 1-13 on the year, while the Storm improved to 11-9 on the season.

The Jets put up quite the fight in the opening set, matching Sothern Nazarene blow for blow. The score was tied as late as 15-15 before the Storm tried to pull away, but for the Jets they answered for every run. After SNU went up by three, Yemima Buana collected a kill and a SNU attack error helped the Jets close within two, 20-18. The Storm then went to their explosive front line, giving the Storm three of the final four-straight points taking the first set 25-21.

Southern Nazarene jumped out to a 14-9 lead in the second set and never let up using a 14-4 run, claiming the second set 25-13. The Jets came out firing in the third set, keeping the score within one until the midway point of the frame. Back-to-back SNU service and handling errors followed by a Kennadi Myers service ace gave the Jets an 11-9 lead advantage before leading as late as 13-10. Southern Nazarene came alive at that point on, capturing the next eight points to break things open, 18-13. Kills from Yemima Buana, Kennadi Myers and Hailey Braddy helped close within five, but the Storm finished things off 25-20 to wrap up the match win.

-         Hailey Bradd and Yemima Buana led the Jets with eight kills apiece.

-         The Jets hit .182 their second best hitting percentage of the year.

The Jets will continue on the road as they open conference play against St. Edward's Thursday (Sept. 27) at 7 p.m.