PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Volleyball travel to Odessa, Texas for a quartet of games at the Dr. Steve Aicinena "Iceman" Tournament. First, the Greyhounds will play University of the Southwest and hosts UT Permian Basin on Friday at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively. Eastern conclude their tournament on Saturday against (RV) Augustana (who received votes in the AVCA preseason poll) at 8 a.m. and Southeastern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m.
SCHEDULE OUTLOOK
The Hounds have a 28 games schedule ahead of them this season. Starting the first weekends with three tournaments and 12 games total. From then, ENMU head straight into conference play against Oklahoma Christian on Sept. 16, which will stand as the Hounds opening game at Greyhound Arena. ENMU will play at Greyhound Arena eight separate times, as part of the 16 Lone Star Conference schedule.
MEET THE SQUAD
ENMU Volleyball features 20 student-athletes, with 13 members returning from the 2021 season and seven newcomers. Of the new additions to the team, four will play their first collegiate volleyball and three come to Eastern as a transfer. Reigning LSC Rookie of the Year
Mikaela Garvin is back with the program after collecting 213 kills and averaging 2.22 kills per set, and 2.55 points per game.
Gracelyn Stubbs comes back after leading the program with 85.0 blocks last season, and
Qitana Sapiga provided 368 assists last season, second most on the team.
PRESEASON POLL
The Greyhounds finished Eastern was picked to finish 13th in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll according to league coaches, sports information directors, and media representatives. Regaining LSC Postseason Tournament Champions, West Texas A&M, claimed the top spot in the poll.
SERIES RECORDS
ENMU enter the weekend 7-0 against Southwest, not dropping a set in the series. Against the Falcons of UTPB, ENMU is 8-9 with the UT Permian Basin winning the last three matchups. The Greyhounds encounter Augustana for only the third time in program history, with the Vikings coming away with two wins. The Savage Storm have won the last six meets with the Greyhounds, as ENMU trailed 3-6 in all-time meetings.
