College volleyball: UTPB beats Newman in four

The UTPB volleyball team got back on the winning track in Heartland Conference matches Thursday at the Falcon Dome.

The Lady Falcons (17-10 overall, 7-2 conference) defeated Newman University (Kan.) 30-18, 30-20, 30-32, 30-27.

“We were pretty balanced in our attacks in kills,” UTPB head coach Steve Aicinena said. “Everyone contributed and everyone played tonight.”

The Lady Falcons were coming off of a four-game conference loss to St. Edward’s at home Saturday before beating Wayland Baptist on Monday in a nonconference match.

They played extremely sharp in the first two games Thursday.

“(Newman) really started out sluggish,” Aicinena said. “Their passing was poor. After the second game it was on target and they utilized their attacks.”

The Lady Falcons overcame 23-20 and 25-23 deficits in the fourth game to close out Newman, which has struggled this season.

“They are the best 2-28 team in Division II,” Aicinena said. “This game is so different than any other sport. There is no halftime to make adjustments, it can be very up and down.”

Diondra Arenas had one of her best matches of the season, finishing with 16 kills and a .314 hitting percentage.

“Our passing wasn’t as good in the third and fourth games,” Aicinena said. “We played exceptionally well the first two games. Attacking, passing, blocking and defensively we played well.”

Amithy Henry added 17 kills and nine digs and senior Britney McCutchen continued her stellar season, finishing with 48 assists, 13 digs and four aces.

The Lady Falcons used every player on the roster, including freshmen Maci Schaefer, Chelsea Eaton, Sarah Munoz and Stevie Tankersley.

Chassidy Johnson also saw time, as Aicinena looked to give his bench some experience.

UTPB hosts Panhandle State (Okla.) at 2 p.m. Saturday. Panhandle State is winless in Heartland Conference play.

UTPB def. Newman

30-18, 30-20, 30-32, 30-27

At UTPB’s Falcon Dome

Kills — Newman: Abbra Tallman 16, Jessica Hohn 14, Renee Breckenridge 9, Brianna Witsman 6, Sarah George 5, LaShaunda Crocker 3, Amy Shorette 1. UTPB: Amithy Henry 17, Diondra Arenas 16, Mica Lamprecht 12, Krystal Polk 12, Sarah Munoz 2, Christina Bogers 1, Britney McCutchen 1, Chassidy Johnson 1, Ashley Alba 1.

Blocks — Newman: Renee Breckenridge 3.5, LeShaunda Crocker 1, Sarah George .5, Abbra Tallman .5. UTPB: Molly Atnip 4, Krystal Polk 2.5, Diondra Arenas 1, Christina Bogers .5, Britney McCutchen .5, Chassidy Johnson .5.

Assists — Newman: Caroline Painter 29, Amy Shorette 9, Ashley Myers 6, Abbra Tallman 1, Brianna Witsman 1, Katie Valliere 1. UTPB: Britney McCutchen 48, Amithy Henry 2, Christina Bogers 1, Mica Lamprecht 1, Krystal Polk 1, Molly Atnip 1, Ashley Alba 1.

Digs — Newman: Katie Valliere 36, Abbra Tallman 21, Jessica Hohn 14, Caroline Painter 11, Amy Shorette 7, Kathryn Cash 2, Sarah George 1, Kelly Larson 1, Ashley Myers 1. UTPB: Ashley Alba 31, Mica Lamprecht 15, Britney McCutchen 13, Amith Henry 9, Christina Bogers 4, Krystal Polk 3, Chelsea Eaton 3, Stevie Tankersley 2, Diondra Arenas 2, Molly Atnip 1, Ashley Alba 1.

Aces — Newman: Caroline Painter 1, Abbra Tallman 1, Renee Breckenridge 1. UTPB: Britney McCutchen 4, Mica Lamprecht 2, Ashley Alba 2, Amithy Henry 1, Chelsea Eaton 1, Stevie Tankersley 1.

Records

Newman is 2-28 overall, 2-7 Heartland Conference; UTPB is 17-10, 7-2.