9/28/2022 | Women’s Volleyball | Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Volleyball’s comeback effort came up short during a 3-2 defeat to Texas Woman’s University. The Greyhounds fall to 9-8 overall, with an 0-5 conference record. Texas Woman’s improve to 11-6 on in 2022, while holding a 2-3 LSC standing.

Both teams were evenly matched to start the match with each team trading points and large runs, 13-12 ENMU. With the scoreboard at 17-13 ENMU, Texas Woman’s rattled off a 10-3 stretch to take a commanding lead of the 23-20. The Pioneers held on to take the first set 25-21.

After falling in the opening set, the Greyhounds didn’t waste any time in the second frame. With the score at 3-2 TWU, Eastern went a 15-2 streak to blow the set open at 17-4. Adriana Puni started the set with a kill, while Mikaela Garvin and Rylee Mapescontributed a kill of their own. Gracelyn Stubbs and Garvin combined for a block and the streak was finished with a Qitana Sapiga service ace. Eventually, Garvin polished off the set with a kill as ENMU tied the match after a 25-12 win.

The third set mirrored the opening set, as each team started off with positive strides. TWU and ENMU would trade who was ahead, with the largest lead at the time just being three points. Late in the set, the Pioneers strung together three points to go ahead 24-22. However, ENMU replied with a three-point streak of their own on set point to go ahead 25-24. Texas Woman’s was up to the challenge as they hit back with three straight points to take the set 27-25 over ENMU.

Eastern started quickly in the fourth frame, jumping out to a 7-3 lead over the opening points. Puni, Garvin, and Mapes all found kills in the short streak. ENMU pushed its lead to 12-8 over TWU, opening an 8-2 stretch over the Pioneers, to go ahead 20-10. The Greyhounds forced the Pioneers to a fifth set, capturing the fourth frame 25-14.

The final set had momentum swinging back and forth between the two teams. ENMU started with a 3-0 lead, with Texas Woman’s finding five points to go up 5-3, just for ENMU to find three straight points for a 6-5 advantage. However, Texas Woman’s provided a 7-1 run to earn some breathing space, 12-7. Eastern brought the final set back to 13-12 TWU, but the Pioneers finished with the final two points ending the set 15-12 and the match 3-2.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Greyhounds edged out the Pioneers for kills (56-47), digs (72-62), and blocks (50-43).
  • Mapes led the Eastern scoring with 18 kills, while Garvin hit for 11 kills, and Puni registered 10 kills.
  • Jaylynn Nihipali provided a match best 24 assists, while Sapiga contributed 15 assists.
  • Nihipali also led the Greyhounds in digs (17), with Getsemani Carrasco and Puni each finding 13 digs on the night.
  • Puni and Garvin provided seven total blocks during the contest, with Stubbs adding six total blocks.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Tonight, was a tough loss,” said Head Volleyball Coach Sia Poyer. “This will sting because I know we’re a good team and we needed this one tonight”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Mapes set a career high during the contest with 18 kills in the match, beating their previous best of five kills against UAFS (9/17/22). Mapes also set a career mark for points with 19.
  • Nihipali posted their seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 24 assist and 17 digs.
  • Garvin cemented a season best for total blocks with seven, also tying a career best in the category. Puni marked the night with a season best seven total blocks (one solo, six block assists).
  • ENMU have a quick turnaround as they play St. Mary’s on Friday, Sept. 30, with the match set to begin at 6 p.m. The Greyhounds are holding a green-out, with the first 50 fans receiving a t-shirt for the event.