The LeTourneau University volleyball team dropped a 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 decision to Hardin-Simmons and 25-18, 25-23, 25-15 decision to McMurry University on Saturday in Abilene.

The YellowJackets (7-18, 3-9 ASC) started the day with a heart-breaking decision to Hardin-Simmons. Earlier in the season, the two teams went to five sets in Longview.

LeTourneau junior Kayla Ronda had a solid all-around match with nine kills, three block assists and two service aces in the loss. Freshman Rachel Earle added six kills and two block assists for LETU.

Hardin-Simmons (7-12, 6-7 ASC) hit at a .195 clip with Morgan Watts and Hannah Hornsby leading the attack with 12 and 10 kills, respectively. In all three sets, HSU out hit LETU for the win.

In the first set, after the two teams exchanged the first six points it was a three-point spurt by HSU that proved to be just enough to put the home team ahead for the rest of the set.
Twice, HSU built nine-point leads only to see LETU cut the deficit to draw as close as four.

In the second set, the score was tied on four occasions including at 14 when Dolores Kroese registered a kill. A three-point swing in favor of the home team put HSU ahead for the rest of the set.

In the fourth set, the Cowgirls closed out the match with an 8-3 run. In the run, Watts had four kills to lead HSU.

LeTourneau ended the day with another rematch, this time against McMurry, who will join the ASC in 2015.

The YellowJackets had a balanced offensive attack in the loss with Kroese having a team-high seven kills. Setters Nicole Mosley and Alyssa Eden each recording 10 assists. Alli Bordelon and Shannon Syme had 15 and 10 digs, respectively.

McMurry (16-6) got a match-high 10 kills from Catherine Heath, who out hit LETU, .260 to .132. The War Hawks had a strong presence along the frontline with 12 blocks including six from Katy Headrick and five more from Audrey Sanders.

Next, LeTourneau will host Sul Ross State on Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. in Solheim Arena for its annual Dig Pink match.