Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The LeTourneau University volleyball team dropped a pair of decisions to Hardin-Simmons (25-21, 20-25, 25-9, 25-23) and Howard Payne (25-20, 25-11, 25-20) at the ASC Inter-pod Tournament hosted by UT Tyler on Saturday.

The YellowJackets (6-19, 1-11 ASC) fell victim to some hot-hitting offenses in the two defeats. In the loss to Hardin-Simmons, they hit at a .199 clip compared to .134 for LeTourneau and against Howard Payne, they outhit LETU, .157 to .000.
 
To begin the day, the Cowgirls of Hardin-Simmons had a balanced attack to go along with seven service aces. Tori Martinez and Morgan Watts had 14 and 10 kills, respectively. Four different players had an ace; plus, Gabi Martinez had nine kills and three block assists in the win. For LeTourneau, sophomore Alexia Thomas had a strong match with 13 kills to lead the YellowJackets. Plus, freshman Dolores Kroese added 10 kills go along with five block assists.
 
In the nightcap against Howard Payne, Thomas continued to have a hot swing for LETU with a team-best nine kills and a .156 hitting percentage. Sophomore Kayla Ronda had seven kills and eight digs in the defeat. For HPU, Hannah Hicks had a strong match with match-high honors with 10 kills and four blocks (two block solos and two block assists). Plus, they had nine service aces – including four from Shelby Bridges – in the win.
 
Up next for LeTourneau is a trip to Clinton, Mississippi for another ASC Inter-pod Tournament, where they will face East Texas Baptist on Friday, October 18 at 5 p.m, and on Saturday, October 19, host Mississippi College at 10 a.m. and Texas-Tyler at noon.