PORTALES, N.M. - Eastern New Mexico volleyball played its final match inside Greyhound Arena in the 2019 regular season Saturday afternoon as they fell to Texas A&M-Commerce 3-1 in its Senior Day game.
 
The Hounds were able to produce a well-balanced attack as all six starters recorded at least five kills with freshman Gracelyn Stubbs, junior Jasmine Gannon and senior Sarah Tuioti-Mariner leading the charge with nine kills apiece. Tuioti-Mariner also tallied a team-high ten digs while graduating junior Julie Tucker had a solid game at the net, finishing with four blocks.
 
Eastern began the game with very efficient offense as they recorded their highest attacking percentage in the first frame, totaling 17 kills on just three errors for a .333 team hitting percentage. Despite the Hounds solid attack efforts, the Lions were able to jump out to a 6-2 advantage and would never relinquish the lead as they would win with a 25-21 final.
 
Attack errors in the second set posed problems for the Hounds as they registered ten while only managing eight kills. The Green and Silver led 3-1 early following kills from Tuioti-Mariner and senior Christelle Kialanda but Commerce was able to take the upper-hand, rattling off five consecutive points before taking the frame 25-16.
 
With their backs against the wall and trailing 8-4 in the third set, another kill from Tuioti-Mariner sparked a 6-0 run for the Hounds as Eastern battled their way back into the game. The Lions held a 21-19 lead late but sloppy attacking from the visitors allowed for the Greyhounds to convert on six of the last eight points to take the third set 25-23.
 
The Lions mounted another early run in the final frame, this time leading 6-2, which ultimately was too much for the Hounds to overcome before falling by a 25-13 final.
 
The Hounds will wrap-up their season on the road next week when they travel to UT Permian Basin followed by a trip to Western New Mexico.