LONGVIEW, Texas -- LeTourneau volleyball fell in a five-set thriller on Friday evening to Howard Payne (25-23, 19-25, 25-16, 17-25, 16-14).

LeTourneau moves to 10-14 (2-5 ASC), while Howard Payne improves to 11-9 (1-6 ASC).

For the statistical leaders, Kaci Monk had 15 kills, Reina Lawson added 27 assists, 11 digs, and four service aces, Hannah Payan stuffed three attacks, and Morgan Nix collected 20 digs. Grace Talkington recorded a double-double as well, notching 20 assists and 11 digs.

Exciting, heart-wrenching moments were plentiful. Critical points swung the momentum back and forth. Ultimately, it ended in defeat for the YellowJackets, but their resilience and poise was evident throughout.

After Howard Payne seemingly pulled away in the first set, LeTourneau rallied for a 4-0 run, getting kills from Payan and Nora Lockhart in that stretch to close the gap to 24-23. However, Howard Payne was able to win it with a kill from Tara Bennett to go up 1-0.

A set-opening 6-1 rally set the tone for LeTourneau in set two, as Reina Lawson fired three excellent serves and Yari Ortiz had two kills in that period. The YellowJackets used that early cushion to propel them to victory, with Ortiz destroying a ball to win the set and even matters at a set apiece.

After Howard Payne responded with a 25-16 set three win, a 7-1 run in the fourth set gave LeTourneau all the momentum they would need to take the set. Kylee Marksberry tallied three kills in that run, and a forced attack error by the defense won the set and meant the match would need a deciding fifth set.

LeTourneau rattled off a 6-1 run in the fifth set to lead 13-10, with kills from Monk and Ortiz giving the YellowJackets a momentous edge. Unfortunately, Howard Payne matched with a match-ending 6-1 rally of their own to win in thrilling fashion.

Howard Payne was led in kills by Tara Bennett (17), assists by Madai Suarez (21) and Jolee Van Dyke (19), and digs by Makenzie Weddel (19) and Kassidy Johnson (16).

UP NEXT

LeTourneau continues their homestand with a match against Hardin-Simmons tomorrow at 1 p.m., with the 2024 senior class being honored beforehand.

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