ATLANTA, Ga. -- LeTourneau volleyball kicked off the 2025 campaign at the Jenny McDowell Invitational, dropping the season opener versus host No. 5 Emory in three sets (25-11, 25-17, 28-26) on Friday. 

The match was LeTourneau's first against the perennial powerhouse Eagles in 20 years.

Aubree McCann, a senior transfer, made her YellowJacket debut in the match, leading LeTourneau with eight kills. Kylee Marksberry also had a solid day for the Jackets, posting seven kills with a .294 hitting percentage. 

Hailee Perry and Emily Mullin made their collegiate debuts in the opener, with Perry picking up 15 assists and three service aces. Mullin posted nine assists. 

Defensively, Ashlyn Walther led the team with two total blocks, as well as service aces with four. Maddy Hirneise led LeTourneau (0-1) with 10 digs. 

The YellowJackets improved their play with each set. By the time the third set came, LeTourneau would not go down swinging. 

LeTourneau never trailed by more than six points throughout the set. On the ropes, down 24-19, the Yellowjackets scored five straight to force extra points, battling until Emory (1-0) eventually took the set 28-26. 

Emory was nearly unstoppable on offense, boasting a .356 hitting percentage, with Kate LaRocco leading the team with 14 kills. Olivia Rabinowitz also posted six kills and 36 assists for the Eagles.

UP NEXT

The YellowJackets finish off their trip to Atlanta tomorrow, playing a doubleheader against LaGrange (10 a.m.) and St. Catherine (12:30 p.m.). 

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