RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas volleyball team kicked off the university's Homecoming week with a 26-24, 25-15, 25-17 win over LeTourneau at the UTD Activity Center Friday evening.
The opening set was a barn burner with 16 ties and 10 lead changes. The Comets (7-6) led 21-20, but the visiting YellowJackets (9-12) rattled off four straight points to serve for match point at 24-21. Not to be deterred, UTD answered with a 5-0 rally to take the first frame.
Alina Strickler recorded a pair of kills and
Lauren Petty and
Sophia Bailey each had one during the run.
Both teams posted their best hitting percentage of the evening in the first game. The Comets hit .326 with 20 kills, while the YellowJackets hit .289 on 14 kills.
UTD easily won the final two sets. They jumped out to a 16-8 lead in the second before finishing off LeTourneau by 10. The Comets led from pillar to post in the third.
For the match, UTD hit .271 with 44 kills, 13 aces, two blocks and 57 digs. LeTourneau hit .139 on 29 kills, six aces, six blocks and 43 digs.
UT Dallas Notes
- Freshman outside hitter
Alina Strickler led UTD with 10 kills and came up with eight digs.
- Right side
Sophia Bailey had a season-best nine kills.
- Freshman
Lauren Petty recorded eight kills and a pair of aces.
- Sophomore
Stella Ballew added seven kills.
- Freshman setter
Kira Braun had a season-high five aces and 19 assists.
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Sydney Sabin came up with 18 assists and eight digs.
- Senior middle blocker
Campbell Horn hit .500 with four kills and a block.
- Freshman
Averi Frazier served a season-best three aces and came up with six digs.
- Sophomore
Mari Hernandez posted 19 digs.
- UTD is now 46-0 all-time against LeTourneau.
LeTourneau Notes
- Yari Ortiz paced the YellowJackets with seven kills.
- Kylee Marksberry had five kills and two blocks, as did Kaci Monk.
- Reina Lawson recorded 16 assists.
- Allison Smith registered four kills and four blocks.
- Libero Morgan Nix led all players with 20 digs.
Up Next
UT Dallas will host #10 East Texas Baptist at home on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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