Women's Volleyball | 11/14/2014 11:16:00 PM

Box Score FORT SMITH, Ark.—The St. Edward's Volleyball team defeated Newman, 3-1, on Friday evening in the Stubblefield Center. With the win, the Hilltoppers guarantee a spot in the Heartland Conference Championship.
 
UA-Fort Smith swept St. Mary's in the other semifinal. The outcome leads to a St. Edward's-UA-Fort Smith showdown on Sat. afternoon. The Hilltoppers have a 0-2 record against the Lions this season.
 
Although the Jets saw a 12-8 advantage in the beginning of the first set, the Hilltoppers would not be counted out. St. Edward's fought back to lock it up, 21-21. A kill by Jarin Braithwait and two errors by the Texas team put Newman at set point. The Hilltoppers mounted a comeback though, scoring five-unanswered points to take the set, 26-24. 
 
The two teams traded the lead in the opening of the second set. Mid-match, the Jets were able to create some distance after going on a 7-0 run. This time around, Newman refused to give up its advantage. The Jets registered 18 kills and a .220 hitting percentage in their 25-21 set two victory.
 
St. Edward's fought hard to capture the pivotal third set. The Hilltoppers managed to hold the Jets to a .074 hitting percentage compared to their .250 hitting percentage. The Toppers won the third set, 25-18.  
 
Although the opposition came within five points of forcing a fifth set, the match went to St. Edwards as they won the fourth set, 25-20.
 
Four St. Edward's players finished with 10 or more kills including HANNAH RAUCH (11), KATIE MARTIN (10), MARY KOEHLER (10), and ELISSA STANTON (10). Both LOREN KELLY and KELLY JIMENEZ saw match-highs registering 24 assists and 39 digs, respectively. The Hilltoppers recorded 8.5 team blocks in their victory.
 
The Heartland Conference Championship is set to tip-off at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Live video and statistics will be available on the Lion Athletic Website.