PORTALES, N.M. – After not playing a home match for 28 days, Eastern New Mexico Volleyball rocked Greyhound Arena with a 3-1 victory over Lubbock Christian University on Wednesday evening. ENMU improve to 14-13 on the season, with a Lone Star Conference record of 5-10. Meanwhile, Lubbock Christian fall to 10-16 overall with a conference record of 6-9.
 
The visiting Lady Chaps raced out to a 6-2 advantage over ENMU, but the Greyhounds quickly brought the score within one at 6-5 LCU. After a back-and-forth ensued, Lubbock Christian held a slim 18-16 lead over ENMU. Three straight points for Eastern put them ahead 19-18, but LCU bounce back to a 23-22 lead. The Greyhounds closed out the set on a 4-1 streak to finish 26-24 over Lubbock Christian. Gracelyn Stubbs found three kills in the final four points for ENMU.
 
After a trading of points to open the second set, the Greyhounds used a 12-4 run to build a large lead. With the score at 10-10, Mikaela Garvin gave the Hounds the lead with a kill which sparked six straight points. The momentum continued for the Hounds with four straight points moving the score 22-14. A short spurt from the Chaparrals was to late, with ENMU going ahead 2-0 in sets following a 25-20 win.
 
LCU responded by capturing a tight 3^rd set over the Greyhounds, 26-24. Both teams were back and forth in the set, with Eastern jumping to a 17-11 score. However, an 8-1 run put the Chaps up 19-18, then LCU closed the set on a 4-1 streak, forcing a fourth set.
 
After falling in the third frame, ENMU grabbed the first five points of the fourth set. Stubbs secured two kills, with Adriana Puni and Kali Nelson each finding a kill, while Anjolina Perez fired a service ace. Slowly but surely, ENMU held a sizeable lead of the Chaps (16-12) and closed the match on a 9-3 stretch. In the final nine points, ENMU picked up seven kills and a service from Stubbs ended the contest 25-15, 3-1 in the match.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds bested the Chaps in kills (65-47) and digs (72-50), while LCU finished with more blocks in the contest (11-5).
• Stubbs paced the Greyhounds with 22 kills, while Nelson finished just behind with 13 kills.
• Qitana Sapiga led the match with 33 assists, while Kayla Ison was not far behind with 23 assists.
• Getsemani Carrasco led the defensive effort with 27 digs and Sapiga contributing 14 digs.
• Jordan O'Connor-Dempsey marked their return to the team with five total blocks in the match, a team high.

FROM THE SOURCE

"I'm very proud of our team effort. I thought our serving was aggressive and our serve receive was consistent," said Head Volleyball Coach Sia Poyer. "Our defense was solid and posted over 20 digs more than LCU, which was huge. Our seniors played like seniors, and we couldn't be more proud," said Poyer.  

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Greyhounds picked up a win versus the Chaparrals for the first time since 2017, win ENMU bested LCU 3-1 at Greyhound Arena (10/3/17). Tonight's victory also marks the first time Eastern beat Lubbock Christian in conference play.
• Sapiga picked up a career best 33 assists, while Stubbs found a career high 22 kills.
• Stubbs posted over 20 kills for the second time this season, having previously scored 21 kills against UAFS (9/17).
• The Greyhounds will play its final match of the season on Friday, Nov. 4, facing Western New Mexico. The program will recognize its seniors after the match, as part of its Senior Night ceremonies.