Brownwood, Texas - The Howard Payne University volleyball team was looking to avenge yesterdays disappointing result with a win on Saturday afternoon vs. Concordia Universtiy to wrap up their three-game homestand. They came out strong and took the games first two sets before the Tornados were able to rally back and take the games final three sets to win 3-2 (25-23, 25-19, 18-25, 17-25, 8-15.)

Zhartaezia Bradley led the Lady Jackets (3-8, 1-2 ASC) with 13 kills, some of which came in clutch fashion and are sure to be featured in this week's edition of Yellow Jacket Network. Bradley came on strong late in the game in an attempt to help rally her team to the victory. She had some key moments at the net and was a major factor in the serving game for Howard Payne.

Jordan Livingston led all players with 26 digs and added one service ace while Cheyanne Lovelady led the Lady Jackets with 39 assists. Freshman Middle Hitter Jordan Rogers recorded the third-best offensive performance of her career, finishing with 10 kills and Macy Maniscalo added seven kills in the defeat.

It was an aggressive game from the outset, with both teams exchanging leads several times throughout the entire five-set match before the Tornados (5-4, 1-1 ASC) pulled away in the final three sets to capture their first victory in conference. No team would lead by more than two points in the first set until Howard Payne took the final three possessions to will themselves to the 25-23 victory in set one.

The Lady Jackets continued that momentum into the second set, going up 4-1 to start the frame. Concordia would battle back to tie the set up at seven apiece and both sides would exchange points the majority of the set. Zhartaezia Bradley would help spark a four-point rally with a stellar kill at the net to capture a 17-13 lead and the Lady Jackets would hold on to close out the set with a 25-19 victory to go up 2-0 in the game.

The Tornados jumped out to a 10-6 lead in the third set before Howard Payne would score four of the next five points to pull within one point of the lead, 11-10. But Concordia responded by scoring seven of the next nine possessions to take a healthy 23-17 lead. Kailey Doering went up for a kill at the net in hopes of spurring a comeback but it was too little, too late and the Tornados took the third set, 25-18.

Concordia scored ten straight points in the fourth set to go up by 13 points. Jordan Livingston and Zhartaezia Bradley would attempt to fight off the strong Tornado offense when the two got together to help spur a six-point rally for the Lady Jackets. They would end up cutting the deficit to 21-16 before Concordia made another run to finish out the set and collect the 25-17 result. 

The fifth and final set of the game began with Ashley Moore serving the Lady Jackets. She helped to spur a four-point run to start the set with the help of Zhartaezia Bradley and Macy Maniscalo. However, the Tornados responded by scoring the games next five points to tie it up at 7-7. Concordia would go on to score on six of the games final points to steal the victory away from Howard Payne with the 15-8 result.

The loss drops the Lady Jackets to 3-8 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. They will now head back out on the road to face Texas Lutheran University in a non-conference matchup slated for a 6:00 pm start on Tuesday, September 19th. Live stats and video will be made available through HPUSports.com.

Be sure to follow along on Twitter @HPUVball and also on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube, @HPUSports for behind the scenes access to the Howard Payne University volleyball program. Stay tuned to our Facebook and YouTube pages for the first edition of Yellow Jacket Network on Monday for highlights, interviews and insight into all Howard Payne Athletics programs.