LONGVIEW, Texas -- Back and forth, set for set, LeTourneau never gave up forcing a fifth set, but came up just short, 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 14-25, 19-17), in a loss to ASC foe Howard Payne on Saturday afternoon inside Solheim Arena.

The loss drops LeTourneau to 7-5 on the season 3-3 within the conference.

Kaylyn Taylor worked her way toward a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, while Hannah Payan had a team-high 15 kills with seven digs. Allison Smith added 10 kills and a .421 hitting percentage.

Natalie Davenport recorded 23 assists and eight digs. Reina Lawson with a similar 23 assists and seven digs.

The LeTourneau YellowJackets were able to fight back after dropping the first set, taking the second one going on a nine point run, where Davenport was able to record a couple of aces. 

In the third set Howard Payne was able to take an early 14-7 lead and were able to hold on to take the 25-19 win.

LeTourneau was able to take a commanding win in the fourth set to force a set five. Jackets shot up to a 20-9 lead and finished the set to complete the 25-14 win.

The fifth set was as even as it come with a back and fourth, rally for rally set. Thee largest lead was the two points to finish the job for Howard Payne.

Howard Payne led by Mitsue Rodriguez who recorded a double-double with 25 kills and 16 digs. Kaitlyn Elsten recorded an astonishing 50 assists with 12 digs to establish her double-double.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau will travel to face rival East Texas Baptist in Marshall, Texas this Tuesday Sept. 27th at 6:00 PM.