LONGVIEW, Texas --
Allison Smith toppled a program career record and the LeTourneau volleyball team got into the win column with a 3-1 win (20-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21) over visiting Concordia Texas in an ASC matchup on Saturday afternoon inside Solheim Arena.
Smith collected five blocks in the win and became the program's all-time leader in career total blocks. Her block in the second set was the 268th of her career as she surpassed Jennifer McCool (2003-06) for most total blocks. Smith added seven kills with a .462 hitting percentage and six digs in the win.
Smith now sits on 270 career total blocks.
The victory snapped a losing streak for LeTourneau (1-6, 1-1 ASC) to open the season. The YellowJackets have won four straight overall against Concordia (0-8, 0-2 ASC).
Hannah Payan and
Grace Talkington recorded double-doubles in the victory. Payan had 16 kills, including the match-winner, to go with 10 digs while Talkington tallied 24 assists and 13 digs.
Morgan Nix led all players with 23 digs and
Yari Ortiz had 11 kills and two blocks.
Kaci Monk chipped in seven kills.
LeTourneau led early in the first, but Concordia used an 8-0 run later in the frame to take a 22-14 lead as the visiting Tornados took the set, 25-20.
In the second set, it was LeTourneau that used a big run late to seal the win. The YellowJackets surged ahead with an 8-1 run, capped a combination block from
Emma Smith and
Allison Smith, to go ahead 22-14. Kills from
Emma Smith and Ortiz before an ace from
Allison Smith ended the set.
Concordia grabbed the early lead in the third, but again LeTourneau used a big run to take the lead for good. Down 5-1, the YellowJackets outscored the Tornados 9-1 as an
Allison Smith kill gave LeTourneau a 10-6 lead. The margin stretched to 10 (21-11) later on a Monk kill as the YellowJackets took another 25-16 set win.
LeTourneau finished off the win with a 25-21 set four victory. The YellowJackets tallied 14 kills in the frame and took the lead for good with three straight late in the game. Kills from Ortiz, Monk, and Payan propelled the YellowJackets to a 22-19 lead and Payan capped the match with her 16th kill of the contest.
LeTourneau had a 50-42 edge in kills and 7-4 in blocks. The YellowJackets hit .218 in the match.
Savannah Kari had 18 kills and 12 digs for Concordia.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MATCH
UP NEXT
LeTourneau travels to Marshall on Tuesday to take on East Texas Baptist (6 p.m.).
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