BOX SCORE

AUSTIN, Texas -- Freshmen #Ashley Fernandez# and #Amanda Affolter# each set career highs in kills, but it was not enough as the Concordia University Texas volleyball team dropped a heartbreaker in five sets to Howard Payne University on Thursday evening in Concordia Fieldhouse.

Tonight's loss marks the fifth time this season the Tornados (1-10, 0-5 ASC) have dropped a five-set contest, three of which have come in ASC play.

Fernandez registered a career high 15 kills to lead the Tornados, while Affolter also set a new career high with 14 kills.  Fernandez posted a team-best .464 hitting percentage in the five-set match.

The Tornados started strong in the match by winning the first two sets.  However, Howard Payne (5-8, 3-2 ASC) battled back and used momentum to claim sets three and four, forcing a fifth set.

With the fifth set tied at 6-6, the Lady Jackets won five consecutive points and held an 11-6 advantage over CTX.  The Tornados would fight back after a 4-0 run and get within one point (10-11) on a service ace by Erica Pollack. 

After HPU pushed the lead back to three (14-11), the Tornados would again battle back and score three straight points to tie the set at 14-14.  However, HPU would complete the comeback win after scoring the next two after the Tornados committed back-to-back errors.

HPU's Tamika Heline led all players with 18 kills in the contest.

CTX sophomore #Kalynn White# also registered double-digit kills with 12.  Sophomores #Kevyn Jackson# and #Erica Pollack# each posted 12 digs to lead the Tornados.  Sophomore #Haley Phillips# posted a game high 27 assists for Concordia Texas.

The Tornados will return to the court and look to snap their current five-match losing streak in a road contest at Sul Ross State University in Alpine on Mon., Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THURSDAY'S MATCH: