PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico Volleyball team return to the road this weekend with two tough Lone Star Conference matchups. First, Eastern face The University of Texas at Tyler on Friday, Sept. 23, with first serve set for 5 p.m. Then, ENMU will battle Dallas Baptist University (DBU) the next day, Saturday, Sept. 24, with the match set to commence at 12 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT

The Greyhounds played their first matches of the season at Greyhound Arena, welcoming Oklahoma Christian and UAFS. Eastern fell to OC, 3-1, and to UAFS, 3-2. In the match against the Lions, Gracelyn Stubbs posted a career best for kills (21), points (27.5), and hitting percentage (.581).

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS

Entering the weekend, ENMU hold a 9-5 record and are finding 12.1 kills per set (k/s) with a .195 hitting percentage. On the attack, Eastern are providing 10.9 assists per set (a/s) and 1.5 service aces per set (sa/s). As a team defensively, the Greyhounds are finding 16.4 digs per set (d/s) and 2.2 blocks per set (b/s).
 
Individually, Mikaela Garvin provides a team high 2.98 k/s, with Stubbs just behind with 2.25 k/s. Jaylynn Nihipali and Qitana Sapiga are the main setters for the program with 4.98 a/s and 4.00 a/s, respectively. Getsemani Carrasco leads the program in digs so far this season with 268 digs (4.87 d/s), while Stubbs holds a team best 49.0 total blocks this season.
 
Across the conference, the ENMU defense is holding teams to a conference low .124 hitting percentage and allowing just 10.16 k/s (2^nd in LSC). Heading into Friday's contest, Stubbs holds the best hitting percentage in the conference at .361, while Carrasco is 5^th in the LSC for digs per set (4.87 d/s).

SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS (UT TYLER)

The Patriots currently sit at 8-5 on the season, having spent some time in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll at the start of the season. In its last two outings, UTT finished 1-1, falling to #17 West Texas A&M 3-2 and beating Cameron University 3-0.
 
UT Tyler is currently finding 13.4 k/s (4^th in LSC), with a .210 hitting percentage (4^th in LSC), and dishing out 12.3 a/s (2^nd in LSC). On the other side of the ball, the Patriots are collecting 15.5 d/s along with 2.0 b/s.
 
Mikayla Ware is an offensive standout, leading the team and conference with 4.64 k/s, while Maiya Peña leads the team in hitting percentage (.332, 2^nd in LSC). Adeline Ortman paces the offense with 8.65 a/s, landing in 5^th in conference competitors. UTT are well balanced defensively, with Savannah Guzman providing 3.87 d/s and Ware adding 3.20 d/s. At the net, Dakota Rogers-Hurtado sits on third in conference standings for blocks, with 1.18 b/s (leading UTT).

SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS (DBU)

Dallas Baptist University have had a great start to the season with a 10-3 record. In its last two outings, DBU finished 1-1, battling #17 West Texas A&M in a 3-1 loss and defeating Cameron University 3-1.
 
The Patriots is currently finding one of the top offensive teams in the conference with 13.5 k/s (2^nd in LSC), with a .267 hitting percentage (Leads the LSC) and dishing out 12.0 a/s (5^th in LSC). On the other side of the ball, the Patriots are finding 13.9 d/s along with 1.4 b/s.
 
AJ Koele currently sits in second in the Lone Star with 4.42 k/s, leading DBU. Lauryn Burt dishes out 10.24 a/s, sitting 2^nd in LSC standings. DBU are defensively led by Leah Palensky, producing 3.13 d/s. Shaylee Shore and Lindsey Otero provide the majority of the blocking for the Patriots with 0.63 b/s and 0.57 b/s.