PORTALES, N.M. - The Eastern New Mexico volleyball team dive into conference play, with a weekend trip to Texas facing off against Texas A&M University-Commerce, and University of Texas at Tyler.
 
First, the Greyhounds take on Texas A&M-Commerce, in Commerce, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. ENMU finish on Saturday, Sept. 18. with an afternoon game against UT-Tyler, in Tyler, Texas, set to start a 12 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT

Eastern traveled to the MSU Hampton Inn-Vitational to tend with nationally ranked opposition and a Lone Star Conference (LSC) opponent. First, the Hounds fell in straight sets to Arkansas Tech (3-0) and Midwestern State (3-0). The next day, ENMU were defeated by #22 Colorado Mesa (3-1).
 
Jasmine Gannon and Gracelyn Stubbs were both named to the MSU Texas All-Tournament Team, for their individual performances.
 

SCOUTING THE HOUNDS

The Greyhounds enter the weekend averaging 10.4 kills per set (k/s) in attack, while contributing 9.3 assists per set (a/s). Defensively, ENMU are providing 11.0 digs per set (d/s), and finding 1.6 blocks per set (b/s) at the net.
 
Gannon paces the attack with 2.56 k/s, while leading the team in digs with 2.84 d/s. Rae Sapiga and Qitana Sapiga are the leaders in assists with 4.00 a/s and 3.64 a/s, respectively. Upfront, Jordan O'Connor-Dempsey leads the squad with 17 total blocks.  
 
Around the conference, the Greyhounds lead the LSC in opponents digs, only allowing opponents 11.92 per set. From the service line, the Greyhounds are fourth in the LSC in service aces per set (sa/s) with 1.64.
 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

 
Texas A&M-Commerce

The Lions prep for Friday's contest, standing at 1-3 after competing at the 2021 Colorado Premier Classic. Commerce fell in their first three games: #10 Central Missouri, 3-1, #20 MSU Denver, 3-0, and #6 Cal State Bernardino, 3-2. They won their final match of the Colorado trip, 3-1 against Lynn University.

TAMUC bring a steady attack of 13.1 k/s with 12.5 a/s per set. The Lions stand seventh and fifth in the LSC in those categories, respectively. On the defensive side, Commerce are putting up 13.9 d/s, adding 1.5 b/s to the front of the net.

Nicki Gonelli stands out in the Lions attack, with 3.94 k/s ranking third in LSC. Reigning LSC Setter of the Week, Celeste Vela, averages 9.63 a/s and sits in second in the LSC. The Commerce defense is led by Lyric Hebert with 3.56 d/s, with Natalie Sarbeck adding 3.00 d/s. Up front, Maiya Dickie has 0.80 b/s and Reese Fetty provides 0.73 b/s.

T-#25 UT-Tyler

The nationally ranked Patriots come into Saturday's game after opening conference play against West Texas A&M on Friday night. Before that, the Patriot's had a week of rest after going 4-0 at the Southeastern Classic.

UT-Tyler come into the weekend as the best attacking team in the nation. The Patriots hold impressive marks in k/s (16.43) and a/s (16.00), both ranking first across all divisions in NCAA. On defense, UT-Tyler also holds strong marks with 19.36 d/s, ranked ninth in the Division II, along with 1.43 b/s.

Individually, Christina Escamilla stands in the top-10 in the nation with a .496 hitting % and finding 4.57 k/s. Callie Craus paces the group in assists with 8.21 a/s, standing fifth among LSC competitiors. Savannah Guzman holds things done defensively with 5.71 d/s, leading the LSC in that category. At the net, Maiya Pena has 0.79 b/s for UT-Tyler.