PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Volleyball were tripped up in its home opener on Friday evening against Oklahoma Christian, 3-1, at Greyhound Arena. ENMU move to 9-4 on the season, with a 0-1 Lone Star Conference record. Meanwhile, the Eagles improve to 8-4, and are 1-0 in conference play.
 
The Eagles wasted no time jumping out in front, taking an early 7-2 lead over ENMU. OC pushed that advantage to 13-8, but the Greyhounds charged back. Back-to-back kills from Jordan O'Connor-Dempsey and Mikaela Garvin started the ENMU streak, and Adriana Puni posted a service ace to cap the 3-0 spurt. Slowly, Oklahoma Christian built its lead to seven points, 23-16. The Eagles took the first set 25-20.
 
Eastern responded right out of the gate with four straight points to begin the second set, taking a 9-3 lead in the early goings. ENMU found five kills in that early run and found a service ace in the streak. However, OC brought themselves back into the contest at 15-12 ENMU but started a long streak to take control of the set. Trailing by two points, the Eagles used an 8-1 run to jump out in front 20-16. The Greyhound fought back with a 4-0 streak to even the set up at 21-21. OC responded with a 4-2 run to end the set on top 25-20 and take a 2-0 set advantage.
 
Oklahoma Christian looked picked up where they left off, posting an 8-2 run in the early part of the 3^rd set. Both teams traded points as the set went on, but ENMU sparked an 8-2 stretch to take control of the frame 20-16. Gracelyn Stubbs built up the momentum with a kill, then Kali Nelson found two kills of their own. Kills from Rylee Mapes, Puni, O'Connor-Dempsey, and Stubbs again set the Greyhounds in front. The Eagles fought back, but Eastern ended the set with three straight points to take the frame 25-20.
 
The visitors wasted no time in the fourth set, taking the first six points, then ballooning their lead to 10-4. ENMU had a small reply to bring the score to 17-14 OC, but the Eagles closed the match with a 8-0 strecth to end the set, 25-14, and the contest, 3-1.

NOTABLE STATS

• ENMU bested the Eagles in kills (57-42), assists (50-40), and digs (58-56)
• Stubbs paced the Hounds effort with 15 kills during the match, while Puni finished just behind with 13 kills.
• Jaylynn Nihipali provided a match high 23 assists, with Qitana Sapiga adding 21 assists to the effort.
• The Hounds were balanced defensively, with Puni and Getsemani Carrasco finishing with 13 digs each. Nihipali also reached double figures with 10 digs.
• Stubbs led the way with three total blocks, while O'Connor-Dempsey and Puni had two total blocks each.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Tonight, we had a few too many hitting errors, but you have to give a lot of credit to OC," said Head Volleyball Coach Sia Poyer. "Along with the hitting errors, it took us a long time to start playing defense that we're capable of playing,".

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Stubbs tallied a new career high for kills with 15, while Puni also posted a career best for kills with 13.
• The Greyhounds still hold the all-time series lead over the Eagles, 2-1.
• Nihipali posted their 5^th double-double of the season (23 assists, 10 digs). Mapes recorded a season's best for
• Eastern look to bounce back tomorrow as they welcome University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. First serve from Greyhound Arena is set for 12 p.m.