PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Volleyball picked up three straight sets to beat St. Edward's University, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena. The Greyhounds improve to 10-9 on the season, with a 1-6 conference record. The Hilltoppers fall to 5-12 overall, along with a 2-4 LSC standing.
 
Eastern came out in the first set with a 9-1 run to open the frame. Kayla Ison provided two service aces in the streak, while Mikaela Garvin finished with a kill and two block assists. The visiting Hilltoppers slowly chipped away at the Greyhounds advantage, eventually using a 5-0 run to go ahead 19-18.  Eastern recaptured the lead 23-21, but a 4-0 run ended the set 25-23 for St. Edward's.
 
After falling in the first set, ENMU supplied a large run to go ahead 15-9. In the eight straight points for the Greyhounds, Adriana Puni and Anjolina Perez each found a kill. Eastern didn't let up with a lead, pushing the score to 25-17, tying the match at 1-1.
 
St. Edward's began the third frame with a slight advantage 11-7, taking its advantage to 19-13. However, the Greyhounds closed the Hilltoppers lead with an 8-2 run to set the frame at 22-22. Gracelyn Stubbs started the streak with a kill and followed with a service ace along with kills from Kali Nelson, Garvin, and Puni. Needing extra points to decide the set, ENMU claimed three straight points to win the set 28-26.
 
In the final set, ENMU eased their way in front of the Hilltoppers. A short spurt put Eastern up 10-5 and the Greyhounds powered their way to a set win 25-18, finishing the match with three straight sets.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds finished with 59 kills in the match, compared to the 40 from St. Edward's. Defensively, ENMU supplied 84 digs, with St. Edward's finishing with 67 digs.
• Garvin led all competitors with 21 kills in the match, with Stubbs adding 14 kills to the offense.
• Ison ran the attack with 28 assists, while Qitana Sapiga contributed 18 assists.
• Three different Greyhounds supplied 15 digs in the contest: Getsemani Carrasco, Puni, and Ison.
• Puni led the effort at the net, finishing with four total blocks.

FROM THE SOURCE

"I'm proud of our fight and resolve in todays match. Very happy for our group in getting the win," said Head Volleyball Coach Sia Poyer.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Eastern snapped six match losing skid, also registering their first home win of the season.
• Ison had a career afternoon in assists (28), digs (15), along with three service aces (all career bests). Perez posted a career high six service aces, while Garvin supplied a season best eight digs in the match.
• Ison and Sapiga both picked up double-doubles, the first of the season for Ison (28 assists, 15 digs), and the sixth of the campaign for Sapiga (18 assists, 11 digs).
• ENMU played against St. Edward's for the first time in program in Portales, N.M. Today's win also marks two consecutive wins against the Hilltoppers for the first in program history.
• The Greyhounds close out its home stand with a match against Midwestern State on Wednesday, Oct. 5. First serve is expected for 6 p.m.