BELTON, Texas -- Tournament season continued for LeTourneau Volleyball as the YellowJackets took an in-state trip to Belton for the UMHB Classic, splitting their Friday doubleheader 1-1. LeTourneau dropped their first match against Hardin-Simmons 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 26-24), before a comeback win versus Methodist 3-1 (19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-21). 

The YellowJacket offense spread the love on Friday, seeing four players pick up double-digit kills, led by Logan Lear with 17. Nora Lockhart had a day at the net, marking 11 kills accompanied by seven total blocks.

Emily Mullin handed out 33 assists on the day, along with four service aces. Emma Smith also added 14 kills with a .265 hitting percentage.

MATCH TWO: LeTourneau 3, Methodist 1

After dropping set one to the Monarchs (5-5), the YellowJackets rallied the troops to sweep the next three sets and take victory in their nightcap. 

Kaylyn Taylor led the way with nine kills and 13 digs, both season-highs for the senior. Lockhart (.412) and Lear also added nine kills each in the win.

The tandem setter duo of Mullin and Hailee Perry contributed 16 and 15 assists, respectively. 

Methodist ran away with the first set early, starting the match with a 7-1 run. LeTourneau would chip away at the lead with each point, but it wouldn't be enough to overcome.

However, the YellowJackets would come out of the break buzzing, dominating set two 25-15. 

With the match tied at one-all, the third set saw a hard-fought battle with five lead changes.

After a five-point run from the Monarchs, LeTourneau held on to a slim 21-19 lead, but not before Taylor would put the set on ice, dropping three straight kills to take the set 25-21 and a crucial 2-1 set lead.

The final set was another seesaw battle, with no run lasting more than four points for either team. 

With the score knotted up at 18, LeTourneau would take a 5-1 run into a late lead, and take advantage of a pair of attack errors from the Monarchs, and prevail in the final set 25-21.

Savannah Hovander led Methodist with 14 kills (.294), while Charleigh Hewett dished out 40 assists.

MATCH ONE: Hardin-Simmons 3, LeTourneau 0

The Cowgirls (7-2) proved to be too much for the YellowJackets, taking the match 3-0.

Aubree McCann shined for LeTourneau, notching her third double-double this year with 10 kills and 15 digs.

Lockhart picked up another four blocks in the match, while Mullin added 17 assists.

After a Cowgirl-led first, the final two sets were much closer, as the Jackets held leads late in both sets. Unfortunately, the ball would land in favor of Hardin-Simmons, taking both sets for the sweep.

Hardin-Simmons would be led by the frontline in the match, with Jadyn Hernandez and Abbi Allen combining for 13 blocks at the net.

UP NEXT

The YellowJackets finish off the UMHB Classic tomorrow, facing Alverno at 11:15 a.m. and UMHB at 6:00 p.m.

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