LONGVIEW - The LeTourneau YellowJacket volleyball team returned to action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed in the Texas-Tyler Patriots to Solheim Arena for ASC action. The two squads played two close sets before UT-Tyler pulled away in the third set to defeat LeTourneau, 25-21, 25-23, 25-14. 

The Patriots (12-13, 5-10 ASC) jumped out to an early 11-5 lead over the Jackets (6-21, 1-14 ASC), but LeTourneau responded, outscoring UT-Tyler 9-4 to tie the game at 14, thanks to kills from freshman Alexia Thomas, junior Shannon Syme, and sophomoe Kelsie Doran. 

However, the Patriots came back with eight of the next nine points to take a 22-15 lead. LeTourneau fought hard with kills from Thomas and freshman Sarah Krippner, but ultimately, UT-Tyler held on for the 25-21 win.

Both teams went back and forth in the second set as LeTourneau took a 9-8 lead. However, the Patriots took the next four points to hold a 13-9 lead. The two teams exchanged points as LeTourneau chipped away at the deficit, but UT-Tyler eventually increased their lead 21-16.

From there, the YellowJackets scored five straight points thanks to kills from Doran and Thomas and a service ace from Doran to tie the game up late in the second set. However, again, the Patriots were able to hang on and take the 25-23 win.

Set three was all UT-Tyler as they used a huge 8-0 run to pull away and win 25-14 to take the match.

Thomas led the way offensively for LeTourneau with eight kills while freshman Kayla Ronda added seven kills. Krippner and Doran each had 11 assists on the afternoon.

Defensively, Krippner picked up 16 digs while freshman Allie Bordelon had 13 and Ronda had 12. Ronda also added three blocks.

LeTourneau will play in their final ASC match on Tuesday night as they welcome in the UT-Dallas Comets to Solheim Arena at 7 p.m.