BELTON, Texas -- Tournament season concluded for the LeTourneau volleyball team with a doubleheader on Saturday, taking down Alverno 3-0 (25-13, 25-9, 25-17), before dropping the final match of the UMHB Classic to the host Cru 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-18).

Nora Lockhart and Maddy Hirneise were named to the UMHB Classic All-Tournament team for their performances this weekend.

Hirneise, the reigning SCAC Defensive Player of the Week, gathered 27 digs on Saturday, while the YellowJackets as a team stuffed 14 attacks at the net.

Emma Smith played an all-around effort on Saturday, picking up eight kills, six total blocks, and 14 digs. 

Emily Mullin contributed 20 assists and 12 digs. LeTourneau totaled 16 service aces on Saturday as well.

MATCH ONE: LeTourneau 3, Alverno 0

The YellowJackets started its Saturday off with a bang, dominating Alverno in a 3-0 sweep.

Kaylyn Taylor led LeTourneau with 10 kills (.214) while Smith tacked on six kills, four blocks, and eight digs. Amya Orn supported with 5 kills (.500) and no attack errors.

Mullin's six service aces is a 3-set match conference-high for the SCAC this season. Grace Talkington added a season-high 19 assists in the win, along with eight digs.

Elyse McKinney led the team with a career-high mark of 12 digs.

The LeTourneau (6-4) steamroll did not start right away, though, as the match was tight early in the first set. Up 11-10, the Jackets would rattle off a 14-2 run to finish the set, including eight straight to begin said run.

The Inferno (1-7) weren't able to get anything rolling in the second set, as it was all LeTourneau from whistle-to-whistle.

The YellowJackets rattled off three runs of 5 or more points in the set, including a seven-piece combo to take the set 25-9.

The final set was one LeTourneau would have to fight for. Once again Alverno would keep it close early, and at the 10-9 mark, the YellowJackets would rattle off nine straight in their favor, blowing the lead to 19-9.

The Inferno would chip away from the lead some, but it wouldn't be enough, as the Jackets would complete the sweep, taking the final set 25-17.

For Alverno, Sharisty Kooch led the box score with six assists, nine digs, and a service ace.

MATCH TWO: UMHB 3, LeTourneau 0

The YellowJackets would fall in three sets to former conference foe and tournament host UMHB in the second match.

Aubree McCann stepped up for the nightcap, picking up 12 kills (.367) and 11 digs. This line marks the fourth double-double in her last five matches.

Lockhart would deny three attacks in the match, while Hailee Perry and Mullin would tie for the team lead in assists with 12. Mullin would also muscle out 10 digs, etching the fourth double-double of her collegiate career.

After a UMHB-controlled first set, the YellowJackets would put up a strong fight in the second set.

LeTourneau held multiple leads throughout the set, and never trailed by more than four points. Unfortunately, a pair of errors in the final points would cost the Jackets the set, 25-21.

The YellowJackets kept clawing in the third set, but after an 8-8 knot being broken up by a seven point UMHB run, it would not be enough.

UMHB (10-1) picked up their tenth straight victory in the win, with Natalie Hughes leading with nine kills (.250) and four total blocks. 

UP NEXT

Volleyball travels to Flowood, Miss. for a tri-match with LaGrange and Belhaven next Saturday, Sept. 20.

FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS

Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.