WICHITA, Kansas – The unbeaten St. Edward's volleyball team extended its season-opening winning streak to 6-0 Thursday evening as they toppled Newman, 3-2. The Jets and the Hilltoppers gave Fugate Gymnasium quite the show, playing out each set in intense and high-scoring fashion.
 
In the first set, St. Edward's took a 6-1 lead out of the gate. It didn't take Newman long to respond, as the Jets went on an 8-0 run to rally back and command the court 13-11. From that point on, Newman stepped on the gas. It would finish the set 25-21, not giving up the lead once.
 
After a tough loss in the previous set, St. Edward's came out swinging in the second. Newman did not back down. The two teams traded point-for-point in a very close competition. A kill by Madison McClurg drew the score even at 23-23 and gave the Hilltoppers the momentum they needed to close out the set, 25-23. Elissa Stanton's kill ended the set.
 
Set three played out in much the same way as set two. St. Edward's managed to edge jst past Newman 25-21 after trading the lead and tying numerous times throughout the hard-fought set. Two kills by Hannah Rauch and two aces from Mary Koehler down the stretch led the Hilltoppers.
 
With its back against the wall, Newman stepped up in the fourth set. The exchange turned into a nail-biting exhibition, both teams trying to gain ground on the other. The Jets went on a 6-0 run to move past the Hilltoppers 20-18 and eventually earn a "W" to force a fifth set.
 
Locked up at 4-4 in the final set, St. Edward's kicked into another gear. The unbeaten Hilltoppers raced to 15 holding their opponent to 11 points. Rauch had three kills in the Hilltoppers' final five points to lead the charge.
 
Rauch led St. Edward's to victory with 16 kills and two blocks. McClurg was firing on both offensive and defensive cylinders earning 15 kills, a .273 hitting percentage and seven blocks. Kelly Jimenez registered 23 digs and Loren Kelly had 27 assists on the night.
 
The Hilltoppers continue their road trip as they travel to take on Southwestern Oklahoma State on Friday, Sept. 18th at 5 p.m. The neutral-site match will take place at Oklahoma Panhandle State. Live video and stats can be found on the St. Edward's Athletic Webpage.