ABILENE, Texas -- LeTourneau volleyball fell to Hardin-Simmons in three sets (25-22, 25-19, 27-25) on Saturday afternoon at the Mabee Complex.

LeTourneau falls to 9-10 (2-2 ASC), while Hardin-Simmons improves to 10-5 (2-2 ASC).

Allison Smith, Yari Ortiz, and Kaci Monk paced the YellowJackets with eight kills apiece, while Reina Lawson and Grace Talkington tied for the team lead in assists with 14. Morgan Nix dug out 23 attacks and Allison Smith had five blocks to pace the defense. Nix also added two service aces.

Despite the loss, Reina Lawson had a shining moment in the first set, as a set assist to Kaci Monk gave Lawson 2,000 assists for her career. Lawson, the senior from Jarrell, Texas, is already in the LeTourneau record books for her career service ace all-time record, but this new 2,000 assist mark displays just how special and multi-talented a player she has been during her tenure. 

In the first set, the YellowJackets came back from a 15-11 deficit by reeling off a 7-1 run to take an 18-16 lead, with kills from Nora Lockhart and Kylee Marksberry and a service ace from Nix helping to inspire that rally. The Cowgirls, however, were able to overcome this deficit and win the set by a 25-22 score to take the early advantage.

LeTourneau was not able to gain any ground in the second set, as Hardin-Simmons was in command early and never looked back, cruising to a 25-19 victory and a 2-0 advantage in sets.

The third set was the tightest of the match, with both teams using some late runs to keep it close. The YellowJackets had a couple of opportunities to put the set away, taking leads of 24-23 and 25-24, but the Cowgirls responded with a 3-0 run to close out the match by a 27-25 score.

Liz Underwood led the Cowgirls with 12 kills, while Ali Meyer added 21 assists and Kat Martinez collected 21 digs.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau travels to nearby Marshall, Texas for a matchup against rival East Texas Baptist on Friday at 6 p.m.

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