TYLER, Texas- The Howard Payne Lady Jacket Volleyball team headed to Tyler for the ASC Cross-Over Tournament this weekend. They played UT-Tyler and East Texas Baptist on Friday, and took on Letourneau bright and early Saturday morning.

The Lady Jackets, while starting to improve in various areas of their game, were no match for the No. 17 team in the nation, UT-Tyler who won 3-0 (25-6, 25-12, 25-12).

ETBU was much of the same story as the Lady Tigers took care of an HPU team fresh off a big loss. The Tigers took the match in three sets 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-14).

As the sun set on Friday night, the Lady Jackets were disheartened, tired, and in the midst of a 15 game losing streak in which they had only won 5 of the last 50 sets they had played.

Then, the battle of the Yellow Jacket began. HPU took on LETU in a match that started at 10 a.m. on day two of the crossover. HPU got out to an early 5-0 lead and didn't look back in set one. Set two was a little more competitive as it took a little extra volleyball to decide, but HPU pulled away and took set two in dramatic fashion. Set three was back and forth until the end when your Lady Jackets pulled away for the victory, 3-0, ending a 15 game skid (25-17, 29-27, 25-22).

On the weekend, Zhartaezia Bradley led the team with 26 kills and 10 blocks, including 13 kills and 5 blocks in the win against LETU. McKenna Walker had 78 assists and Kylee Shirley added 36 digs to help the Lady Jackets leave this weekend with a win.  

"This win is critical for finishing the season strong and going into our games for next week. The girls showed great team effort and played hard for each other," Colleen Westfall, HPU's head coach said. "I have a team full of young players who love the game and were timid at the beginning of the season. But recently, everyone has begun to come together, showing their teamwork and full potential.

The team and I plan on using this hard fought game as a spring board for the remainder of the season and we plan to finish strong. "

Howard Payne now sits at 3-19 on the season and 2-12 in conference play.

The Lady Jackets will be on the road again on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Kerrville at Shriner University. First serve is at 6:00 pm.