GEORGETOWN, TX – Concordia University Texas volleyball team picked up a 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 15-25, 25-19) victory over the the traveling Howard Payne Yellow Jackets at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas Tuesday night. Concordia Texas improves to 7-11 overall and 3-7 in the American Southwest Conference while, Howard Payne falls to 11-9 overall and 4-7.

In set one the Tornados came out strong picking up the first point of the match off a serving ace by Senior Valerie Martinez (Eagle Pass, TX), providing some momentum for to start the match.

The most tightly contested set of the night was set two. Concordia held the lead throughout but was pushed hard for the set win. Freshman Kevyn Jackson (Baytown, TX) dominated as she led the offensive attack for the Tornados with seven kills. Howard Payne came within one twice late in the set but, Sydney Johnson (Houston, TX) and Juli Applewhaite (Georgetown, TX) each picked up a kill finalizing the match, to give Concordia the 25-22 victory.

Howard Payne came alive winning set three 25-15. They got an early lead and did not let it go to push the match to the fourth set.

Unlike the third set, the fourth set started strong in favor of the Tornados, as they quickly jumped out ahead of the Yellow Jackets and hung on to win the set 25-19 picking up their third ASC win of the season.

Leading the offensive attack for the Tornados was Jackson with 14 kills. Senior Applewhaite finished with 9 kills, 20 assists and 14 digs in the victory. Martinez added 24 assists and one serving ace for Concordia.

Defensively Concordia was led by Senior Sara Keithley (Colorado Springs, CO) with 20 digs.

As a team Concordia finished with 53 kills, 9 serving aces, 6 team blocks and 70 digs.

Next action for the Tornados will be on Wednesday October 8, 2008 as they take on Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM.