BY: Jacob Brown, Editor-In-Chief
As the fall sports season begins to wind down, one question lingers: How many of these teams are going to make the postseason?
At a university that takes pride in its athletics programs, the postseason is something every team should be working toward. Competing against some of the best programs in the conference is important, but eventually, competing needs to turn into winning. This fall has been a reminder that Newman still has work to do if it wants to become a consistent postseason contender.
One example is the men's soccer team (of which I was a member.) After qualifying for the postseason in each of the previous two seasons, we were unable to keep that streak going this year. What makes the season even more frustrating is how many opportunities we had to put ourselves in a better position.
Take the Oct. 3 matchup against Southern Nazarene, for example. Newman outshot the Crimson Storm 22 to 8 and had 10 corner kicks compared to SNU's one. Despite controlling many of the attacking opportunities, we walked away with a 2-1 loss. It was another example of a team creating chances but struggling to turn those chances into results.
We still had an opportunity to keep the postseason hopes alive heading into our final game against Southern Nazarene on Saturday. However, a win was necessary just to remain in contention. Even then, a victory would not have guaranteed a postseason appearance. The final standings could have come down to goal differential and results from other games around the conference. Instead, we played to a 0-0 draw, ending our postseason hopes.
Finishing with a 5-11-2 overall record and a 4-6-2 conference record is not where the program expected to be after making the postseason the previous two years. The talent was there, and the ability to create opportunities was there. But soccer is ultimately decided by goals, not shots or possession. The Jets will have to find a way to turn their advantages into results if they want to get back to where they were the last two seasons.
Women's soccer has also had its challenges, but there is a different story to tell with this year's team. The Jets have shown noticeable improvement from a season ago, finishing with a 2-11-3 overall record and earning two conference victories. While the overall record may not jump off the page, those conference wins are important steps for a program looking to build momentum.
Wins against Rogers State and Northeastern State showed what this team is capable of when things come together. The 4-3 victory over Northeastern State was especially exciting, with Newman finding the game-winning goal late in the second half. There have been growing pains, but the team has shown signs of progress. Four players also earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention recognition: First-year player Mya Campbell, senior Allison Hernandez, first-year Victoria Sandoval and junior Lexi Bauer were the recipients of that award, which is another indication that the program has individual talent to build around.
The important thing for women's soccer is to carry that improvement into next season. Progress does not always happen overnight, and sometimes the biggest step is establishing a foundation that future teams can build upon.
Volleyball is another program that has reason for optimism despite a difficult season. The Jets have had their ups and downs, but there have been moments that suggest the program is heading in the right direction.
One of those moments came against No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney on Oct. 23. Although Newman ultimately fell in four sets, the Jets won their first set against the Lopers since 2022. That might seem like a small accomplishment to some, but against one of the top programs in the country, it is a moment worth recognizing.
This season also marked the beginning of a new era for Newman volleyball under head coach Tori Provencio. A Newman alum, Provencio returned to Wichita In January 2026 to take over the program. Bringing in someone who has worn the same uniform and understands the university gives the program an opportunity to build something meaningful. Her impact is beginning to show through the team's competitive performances and the progress it has made against some of the conference's toughest opponents.
The Jets finished the season with an 8-19 record, including two conference wins. That record leaves room for improvement, but a new coaching staff also needs time to establish its culture, system and expectations. The goal now should be to build on the positives from this season and turn those competitive performances into more victories next year.
Cross country, on the other hand, has given Newman fans something to be excited about. Graduate-student Katie Hughes put together an outstanding season, setting a school record in the 6K and winning the NCAA Division II Pre-National Invitational. Senior Timothy Kiprotich has continued to lead the men's team as well. These individual accomplishments show that Newman has athletes capable of competing at a high level.
It would be unfair to overlook the effort these student-athletes put in throughout the year. Between practices, travel, classes and competition, being a college athlete requires a tremendous commitment. However, that commitment is also what makes the postseason so meaningful.
Newman does not need every team to win a conference championship overnight. It does need to develop a culture where postseason appearances become the expectation rather than the exception. There is a difference between having a team that can compete with its opponents and having a team that consistently finds ways to win.
Because at the end of the season, nobody remembers how many shots a team had, how much possession it controlled or how close it came. They remember who made the postseason.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Athletics
