PORTALES, NM – Eastern New Mexico volleyball recovered after a tumultuous start to the match and nearly completed the comeback over Angelo State, eventually falling by a final score of 3-2 (7-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23, 7-15).

The Hounds provided a full match of excitement for Greyhound Nation in the home opener inside Greyhound Arena against an Angelo State squad that was voted the preseason favorites in the conference and received votes in this week's AFCA National Poll. After losing the first two sets by scores of 25-7 and 25-18, Eastern New Mexico rattled off two straight wins thanks to 13 kills in each set to force a fifth and final set.

Although they were unable to capture the fifth and final set, the Hounds impressed in the two set victories in the third and fourth with attack percentages of .303 and . 263 against one of the Lone Star Conference's top defensive teams. Eastern took the lead with the first point of the third set and never relinquished that advantage throughout the third or fourth sets to tie the match at 2-2 going into the fifth set.

Angelo State strung together two crucial four point runs in the fifth and final set at the 0-1 and 6-4 mark to jump out to a 10-4 lead. Eastern could only manage to narrow the score to 11-7 before yet another four point run from the Belles ended the comeback attempt for the Hounds.

Sophomore Jasmine Gannon and senior Jennifer Martinez led the Hounds with 14 and 10 kills respectively, while freshman Jaedynn Devoux matched her season-high with eight kills. Martinez finished the match with an attack percentage of .318 while fellow senior Alba Ontiveros led the way with 16 digs on the evening.

Eastern New Mexico will be back in action on Saturday afternoon with a match scheduled for 12 p.m. against #20 Tarleton State.