By Alyson Lawrence, Staff Writer
The new volleyball season is already well underway, and the Jets have faced lots of competition, playing 18 games so far this season and scoring a big win against Friends University earlier this month.
Ahead of its Friday match against the University Of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, the team is sitting at a 6-12 overall season record, 1-3 in conference play.
Newman head volleyball coach Tori Provencio said that this year's team has a lot of talent and established players.
“Our ball control is pretty good, and we have some heavy hitters,” Provencio said. “But it’s because it’s spread out, and it’s hard to defend a team with a lot of different tools.”
A key player for the Jets so far has been middle blocker Avery Kelley, a senior.
Kelley is one of four team captains along with senior Josie Weers, junior Madalyn Hoot and junior Hanna Tymitz.
“In the first half of the season, I think we’ve seen a glimpse of just how much potential our team has this season,” Kelley said.
After a rough season last year, in which the team went 3-24, the Jets are starting to find their rhythm this year by focusing on their offense, Kelley said.
“We have worked hard to create and maintain a quick tempo that other teams struggle to defend,” she said. “Coach Pro and Coach (Jack) Daugherty have also worked hard to correct technique issues and relearn motor patterns within our passing and hitting fundamentals.”
The team is hoping that these improvements will help them in conference play, which started Sept. 18 with games against Northwest Missouri University and Missouri Western University.
The Jets won just one set in both matches.
Since then, the Jets have gone 2-1, earning wins over Missouri Southern State University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
The Jets defeated Missouri Southern State 3-1 on Friday then lost 0-3 to Central Missouri on Saturday.
On Tuesday, the Jets took the win over Northwestern Oklahoma State University 3-1.
“Every match we play in the MIAA is going to be tough,” Provencio said “It’s important to maintain our composure and to focus on our strengths.”
Despite the rocky start, the Jets know where they need to improve to see positive results.
“Never count us out. If we’re down, we will claw our way back in,” Provencio said
As the season continues, the Jets are focused on improving each day.
“Our big goal this year is to finish in the top half of conference,” Kelley said.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Athletics
