PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico Volleyball program couldn't hold off a UAFS comeback, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena. ENMU fall to 9-5 on the season, and 0-2 in LSC play. UAFS improve to 8-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
 
The Hounds took care of business in the first set, taking the frame 25-14. The Greyhounds opened the set with a 4-3 lead but used a 14-6 run to go up 18-9. Eastern put up 10 kills in the run, with Gracelyn Stubbs (5), Rylee Mapes (2), Kali Nelson (2), and Adriana Puni all getting in on the act. From then, the lions traded points with the Greyhounds.
 
Eastern wasted no time to go ahead in the second set, taking a 10-2 lead. From then, the Lions had to fight their way back, taking the score to 18-16 ENMU. Although, the Lions threaten to take the lead from the Greyhounds, ENMU held on to take the set 25-22. Stubbs provided the final two points with back-to-back kills.
 
After falling the first two sets, UAFS asserted themselves in the early part of the set, going ahead 5-2. The Greyhounds brought the score back to 13-13 to tie the set, which started a back and forth between the two teams. ENMU used three points later in the set to go ahead, 23-20. However, the Lions posted a 6-1 run to take the third set, 26-24.
 
In the fourth set, Eastern started on the right foot with a 6-2 lead, while the Lions brought the score back to 10-10. Both teams traded runs, a 4-0 run from the Lions was matched by four straight points from the Greyhounds, 15-15. As the score moved to 19-19, the Lions jumped ahead with four points and were on set point, 24-20. The Hounds didn't concede as they picked up three points from a block from Mapes and Stubbs, a kill from Puni, and a block from Nelson and Stubbs, 24-23 UAFS. However, the Lions picked up the final point of the set to force a fifth set, 25-23.
 
The Lions took an early lead 4-3 over the Hounds then picked up a 6-1 run to take a 10-4 advantage in the fifth set. UAFS completed the comeback with a 15-8 win in the third set, taking the match 3-2 over ENMU.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds held the advantage for kills, 56-54, assists, 54-51, and digs, 78-70.
• Stubbs led all competitors with 21 kills in the match, while Nelson supplied 11 kills.
• Qitana Sapiga picked up 29 assists during the contest, while Jaylynn Nihipali finished with 22 assists.
• Getsemani Carrasco provided 23 digs on the afternoon, with Sapiga and Nihipali picking up 13 digs, and Mapes providing 11 digs.
• At the net, Stubbs led the way with seven total blocks, while Nelson added five total blocks, and Puni and Mapes finished with four total blocks.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Disappointed with today's loss, but I'm proud of our fight throughout the entire match," said Head Volleyball Coach Sia Poyer.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Stubbs had a phenomenal day on both sides of the ball. The middle blocker picked up a career high 21 kills and 27.5 points, producing a .581 hitting percentage, and finished with three service aces. At the net, Stubbs posted a season best seven total blocks, just one short of tying a career high.
• Mapes also had a career day with five kills, nine points, one ace, 11 digs, and five total blocks (all career highs). Sapiga also set a career best during the match, recording 29 assists in the contest. Nelson set a season best five total blocks.
• Sapiga and Nihipali both finished with double doubles. Sapiga picked up their 5^th double-double of the season (29 assists and 13 digs), while Nihipali picked up their fourth straight double-double, sixth overall on the season (22 assists and 13 digs).
• The Hounds look to bounce back next Friday, when they travel to UT Tyler on Sept. 23. The match is set to begin 5 p.m.