8/26/2022 | Women’s Volleyball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ODESSA, Texas – Eastern New Mexico Volleyball set a new program record for hitting percentage during its 3-0 win over University of the Southwest, while falling to UTPB 3-1 in opening day split at the Dr. Steve Aicinena “Iceman” Tournament on Friday afternoon. 

GAME ONE: ENMU 3, USW 0

The Greyhounds jumped ahead quickly to a 7-1 advantage on the back of seven straight points. From then, a 14-3 run ensued taking the score to 21-4. In the run, Anjolina Perez, Mikaela Garvin, and Kali Nelson each recorded two kills. ENMU closed out the first set 25-5, posting a .714 hitting percentage with 15 kills on 21 swings and zero errors.

In the second set, Eastern jumped out to a 13-8 lead but rattled off a 12-2 run to end the set, including eight straight points. The streak started with back-to-back kills from Gracelyn Stubbs and Jordan O’Connor-Dempsey, followed by two blocks (one from O’Connor-Dempsey and Adriana Puni, and another from O’Connor-Dempsey and Garvin). ENMU finished the set on top, 25-10, taking a 2-0 lead into the third set.

ENMU began the third frame with a slight advantage, 8-3, following six straight points. At the point, both teams went back and forth with the Greyhounds expanding its lead to 16-8. Eastern strung together another large run, 8-3, taking the Hounds on match point 24-11. ENMU completed the match with a 25-13 win in the final set for a 3-0 sweep over Southwest.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Hounds held the advantage for kills, 38-9, and digs 45-20.
  • Puni finished atop the kills mark with eight, while Stubbs (7), Garvin (7), and O’Connor-Dempsey (6) weren’t far behind.
  • Jaylynn Nihipali paced Eastern with 15 assists, while Qitana Sapiga contributed 10 assists.
  • In the middle, Getsemani Carrasco supplied a match high 18 digs.
  • At the net, Garvin finished with one solo block and two block assists.

GAME TWO: UTPB 3, ENMU 1

UT Permian Basin jumped out in front 2-0 after taking the first two sets by a score of 25-18 and 25-19. Each set saw the home team hold a narrow lead, as the two teams went back and forth. UTPB pulled away in each set to go ahead 2-0 over the Hounds.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, Eastern opened with a strong response in the third set. Trailing 7-6 ENMU, the Greyhounds posted seven straight points to take a 13-7 lead. Stubbs provided two kills and a block assist, while Perez added two service aces in the spurt. Eastern held to a five-point lead at 20-15, but put the set away with four consecutive points, finishing the set on top 25-19.

The fourth set brought another tightly contested battle, as ENMU jumped ahead 9-3 early. However, the Falcons came from behind to tie the match at 15-15, with the Greyhounds pushing the tied scoreline to 17-17. However, the home team closed out the set with a 7-2 streak, taking the final set 25-19 and the match 3-1.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Both teams provided over 40 kills in the match, 45-42 UTPB, while Eastern posted 61 digs compared to the Falcons 50.
  • Nelson hit 10 kills in the match, while Garvin added nine, and Stubbs provided eight kills.
  • Nihipali and Sapiga led the way in the assists category with 17 and 15 assists, respectively.
  • Three Greyhounds hit double-digits in digs: Carrasco (14), Puni (12), and Nihipali (11)
  • Up front, Stubbs had four block assists and O’Connor-Dempsey added a solo block and two block assists.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Today was a good learning experience while we continue to work out the kinks and prepare for tomorrows matches” said Assistant Volleyball Coach Katie Burnett.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • The Hounds set a new program record for hitting percentage (.431) during its win over Southwest (N.M.). ENMU’s offense provided 38 kills with just five errors on 72 attempts (38-5-72). The mark bests the previous record set in 2010, when ENMU hit .411 (35-5-73) against Johnson & Wales University – Denver on Sept. 10, 2010.
  • Puni tied a career best for kills with eight versus USW and set a new career best for digs with 12 against UTPB. Nelson supplied a career best eight digs against UTPB and Nihipali posted their first double-double in a Greyhound uniform.
  • Five Greyhounds made their debut for ENMU: Carrasco, Nihipali, Perez, Hannah Page, and Deziree Flowers.
  • Eastern returns to the floor on Saturday, Aug. 27, for a pair of games. First, ENMU will play Augustana, 8 a.m., and then will matchup against Southeastern Oklahoma State, beginning at 2 p.m.