WICHITA - Volleyball began their final stretch of the season on Thursday evening, taking on Missouri Southern. The last matches of the season will take place in Fugate, with this match being the first of four. 

The Lions had defeated the Jets in the early part of the conference season, winning with a 3-0 sweep. 

The Jets had an unlucky start to their evening, with the Lions taking an early 9-1 advantage in the first set. The Jets had multiple defensive miscues that put them in a hole they were unable to get themselves out of. 

Newman would close the gap to six, with kills from Olivia Parsley and McKenna Rhodes helping to narrow the Lions advantage. It was to late for a comeback, as Missouri Southern took the first set, 25-16. 

Newman started the second set with renewed energy, with a kill from Parsley and service ace from Natalie Meyer putting the Jets up 4-0 early. The Lions scored the next four points, but Newman regained their advantage. The set went back and forth for some time, but the Lions were able to pull away in a more competitive set, winning 25-18. 

The Jets would close the score on the Lions by just a point in the third set, but the Lions long scoring runs proved vital in the match, as Missouri Southern would take the 3-0 sweep. 

Parsley led the Jets in kills with seven, while Ozioma Ajekwu had three blocks. 

The Jets return home on Saturday against #23 Central Missouri, and will finish out the season at home with two more home games next week.