The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team rallied from an 0-2 deficit in the nightcap to earn their first win of the season. The Greyhounds trailed 16-10 in the third set before rattling off three-straight sets to earn the 3-2 win (11-25, 12-25, 27-25, 25-16, 15-12). Earlier in the day, the Greyhounds battled Colorado Mesa to a decisive fifth set before suffering the 3-2 loss (23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 15-11).

In the first match of the day, freshman Jasmine Gannon had a match-high 13 kills, while sophomore Sarah Tuioti-Mariner notched 12. Senior libero Andrea Aguilar recorded her 1,400th-career dig in the first set, finishing with 19 on the afternoon. Seniors Brooklyn Biel and Amanda Dietz contributed to the offensive and defensive effort. Biel blasted 11 kills and four blocks while Dietz had seven and five.

Gannon had seven kills in a thrilling first set with the Mavericks. The Texico, N.M., native hit .455 in the frame and helped ENMU to a 25-23 advantage to go ahead 1-0. In the second set, the Greyhounds built an early lead and rode a late surge to claim a 2-0 lead in the match. The Green and Silver were unable to overcome a -.029 hitting percentage in the third set and a -.138 hitting percentage in the fourth to force a decisive fifth set. In the fifth, neither side was able to create a sizable lead, but Colorado Mesa utilized a 5-0 run while trailing 9-8 to take command. A push by ENMU at the end came up short, en-route to a 15-11 setback.

In the nightcap against Colorado Christian, ENMU battled back from an 0-2 hole to pick up the 3-2 win. Biel and Tuioti-Mariner led the charge offensively, picking up 18 and 15 kills, respectively. Alexis Aguirre and Kaitlyn Kluna had 26 and 21 assists while Aguilar and freshman Natasha McClendon notched 21 and 17 digs in the winning effort.

The Greyhounds got off to a slow start, dropping the first set, 25-11, and the second set, 25-12. After trailing by as many as six (16-10), the Green and Silver stormed all the way back to capture the momentum, claiming the third set, 27-25. Sadie Phimmasone, Sophia Magnuson and Alba Ontiveros provided the spark off the bench in that magical third set. Phimmasone finished with six kills and four blocks while Magnuson had two kills, three digs and two blocks. Ontiveros contributed to the defensive effort with three digs.

ENMU is back in action tomorrow against Southwestern Oklahoma State and Lubbock Christian at the Lady Chap Classic. First serve is slated for noon and 4, respectively. For all the latest news on the Greyhounds volleyball program, follow @greyhoundvball and @ENMUAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit GoEasternAthletics.com.

-Eastern New Mexico University-
Volleyball
Will Edwards