AUSTIN, Texas – Saturday afternoon featured the match of the season so far for Eastern New Mexico Volleyball, coming out on top 3-2 over Texas A&M-Kingsville at the Recreations and Athletic Complex on the campus of St. Edward's University. ENMU improve to 9-3 overall, while the Javelinas slip to 6-5.
 
The Greyhounds jumped out ahead of the Javelinas early, holding an 8-2 lead to force a TAMUK timeout. Adriana Puni, Gracelyn Stubbs, Jordan O'Connor-Dempsey, and Mikaela Garvin all found one kill in the opening stretch. However, Texas A&M-Kingsville used 7-2 run to make the score 15-14 ENMU. After an Eastern timeout, a back and forth ensued with the Javelinas going in front of ENMU 20-19. From that point, ENMU found three straight points to go ahead 23-20, but the Javelinas pushed the score to 24-24. TAMUK picked up the first set 28-26.
 
Both teams matched up evenly in the opening stages of the second set, with ENMU holding a slim 12-11 lead. The Greyhounds then went on a 7-2 run, to take a 19-13 lead. Puni chipped in two kills and a block in the stretch, while O'Connor-Dempsey and Garvin also added kills to mix. TAMUK fought back and tied the match at 24-24 but kills from O'Connor-Dempsey and Garvin closed out the second set 26-24.
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville jumped out to an early lead in the third set and held a slim lead throughout. The Greyhounds response was met with more points from the Javelinas. The Greyhounds fought back to trail 23-21, then picked up three straight points to move to set point, 24-23 ENMU. However, TAMUK finished the set with three consecutive points to claim the set, 26-24.
 
Trailing 2-1 in sets, the Greyhounds need to find a response to send the match to a fifth set. Texas A&M-Kingsville started slightly ahead 14-13, but ENMU replied with three straight points to go up 16-14. However, the Javelinas relayed late to go to match point 24-23. From then, ENMU tallied a 4-1 run to push the match to a fifth frame, winning the set 27-25. O'Connor-Dempsey and Garvin both found kills at the end of the set, with a Javelina error ending the stanza.
 
All tied at two sets a piece, TAMUK used a 3-0 streak to take an early 7-4 lead. However, the Greyhounds stormed back to take a 10-8 lead thanks to kills from Garvin and Puni, along with two service aces from Jaylynn Nihipali. The points continued to come in for the Hounds, with a block from Garvin and Puni, followed by a Garvin kill, 12-8 ENMU. The Greyhounds wrapped up the match with a kill from O'Connor-Dempsey and two kills from Garvin to end the match, 15-11 in the set and 3-2 overall.
 

NOTABLE STATS

• ENMU out hit the Javelinas for kills, 70-67, while also holding more digs (90-75), and assists (65-63).
• The offense was spread around with four Greyhounds recording double-digit kills, with Garvin leading the way with 22. O'Connor-Dempsey and Stubbs provided 12 kills, and Puni added 11 kills.
• Nihipali led the assist category with 33, while Qitana Sapiga added 20 assists in the win.
• Getsemani Carrasco led the effort with defensively with 25 digs, Nihipali contributed 19, and Puni and Sapiga chipped in 13 digs and 11 digs, respectively.
• The team accounted for 15 total blocks, with Puni, Stubbs, and O'Connor-Dempsey finishing with six total blocks.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Another great performance of almost 100 digs. We keep getting better n better with every match," said Head Volleyball Coach Sia Poyer. "Working hard defensively and out hustling the othe other team has been the key to our success,".

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Garvin secured a new career record for kills, 22 kills, along with a new career best for points, 23.5 points.
• O'Connor-Dempsey had their best game in a Greyhounds uniform with 12 kills during the match. Nihipali marked a new career high 33 assists and 19 digs.
• Stubbs marked the afternoon with a season best 12 kills and tied a season best six total blocks. Puni supplied a career best mark for kills with 11.
• Nihipali, Puni, and Sapiga all recorded double doubles. Nihipali finished with 33 assists and 19 digs, Puni provided 11 kills and 13 digs, and Sapiga posted 20 assists and 11 digs.
• As a team, the Greyhounds set season highs in kills (70), assists (65), and total blocks (15.0).
• ENMU is off too its best start since 2004, when the Greyhounds went 9-3 in their opening twelve games. This is the best start to a season in the Poyer era of ENMU Volleyball.
• The Greyhounds head home for the beginning of conference play, welcoming Oklahoma Christian to Greyhound Arena on Friday, Sept. 16. First serve is slated for 6 p.m.