PORTALES, N.M. – After two weeks away, Eastern New Mexico play their first home matches of the season as part of the 2024 LSC Challenge. In total, six matches will be played over three days (two per day), as Midwestern State, Sul Ross State, and Western New Mexico come to Portales to compete in the non-conference tournament. ENMU first plays Midwestern State on Thu., Sept. 19, beginning at 6 p.m. The following day, the Greyhounds will match up with Sul Ross State on Fri., Sept. 20, set to start at 6 p.m. Finally, the Eastern close out the weekend against in-state rival Western New Mexico on Sat., Sept. 21, at 3 p.m.

TUNE IN

• All this weekends' games will be broadcast on FloSports. FloSports is the central location to watch Lone Star Conference live and on-demand events, offering a $14.99 per month pass or $99.99 per year pass. Additionally, those who use a .edu email address from an LSC member institution will be able to sign up at a discounted subscription price of $9.99 per month or $69.99 for the year.
• Admission to this weekend's tournament is free, while all ENMU Volleyball games are free entry all season: Tournament Central
• Live statistics will be available via StatBroadcast for all six games this weekend: ENMU StatBroadcast

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS

• Eastern notched their first win of 2024 last weekend, defeating Black Hills State 3-2.
• Darcy Dodd has emerged as the Hounds leader in kills (3.00 k/s, 87), with Sophia Valdez sporting 2.57 k/s (65).
• As for assists, Cayla Reyes holds a team high 4.48 a/s (130 a), with Abigayle Falefia making an important contribution of 2.69 a/s.
• On defense, Imahni Brown is finding 3.79 d/s to lead the team with 106 digs total. As for blocking, Brianna Hernandez holds a team best 0.94 blocks per set (16.0 total blocks), while Valdez has a team high 18.0 total blocks this season.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS (MIDWESTERN STATE)

• Midwestern State comes to Portales holding a 3-5 record, falling in their last five consecutive matches. The Mustangs began the season with three straight wins over Adams State (3-0), Southern Arkansas (3-1), and Northwestern Oklahoma (3-1).
• Demi Stauffenberg (3.04 k/s) and Riley Rabedeaux (2.93 k/s) are the primary sparks of the offense. Brooke Parker has gotten most of the touches at setter, posting a 7.52 a/s including a team best eight service aces.
• The Mustangs are balanced defensively, with four different individuals having more than 2.5 d/s. Jenna Redding (3.50 d/s) leads the team, while Amy DeWalt is just behind with 3.43 d/s. Gabrielle Oos is averaging over a block a set (1.04 b/s), with 29.0 total blocks on the season.
• ENMU and MSU split the season matchup last season, with each team winning their home game. Overall, the Greyhounds led the all-time series 24-20 and are 5-5 in their last ten meetings.

SCOUTING THE LOBOS

• Sul Ross State began its season last weekend at the Dr. Steve Aicinena "Iceman" Invitational, going 0-3. The Lobos enter their first year of reclassifying from DIII to DII, joining the Lone Star Conference this season.
• Cassandra Espinoza leads the Lobos offense to start the season with 20 kills (2.0 k/s), while Natalie Hernandez' 19 kills is second on the team. Eliana Mata paces the setting effort with 4.45 a/s, and Brylee Sweeten is just behind with 2.45 a/s.
• Tatyana Colon is the early leader for digs with 4.45 d/s, while Espinoza is second on the team with 3.80 d/s. As a team the Lobos have 8.0 total blocks this season through their first three matches.
• ENMU and SRSU meet for the second time in as many seasons, having not played the Lobos since 1987 before their 2023 meeting. The Greyhounds have a 22-11 record against Sul Ross, winning 22 consecutive matches dating back to 1982.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS (WESTERN NEW MEXICO)

• Western New Mexico travel across the state with a 3-5 standing, breaking a three-game skid with a victory over Fort Lewis (3-1). WNMU picked up three losses at the Mountaineer Volleyball Classic, falling to Academy of Art and Washburn in four sets, and Western Colorado in five sets.
• Jazmyne Walker has been the driving force of the WNMU offense, posting 108 kills with 3.38 k/s. Eimaya Medina leads the team in assists, posting 6.50 a/s for the Mustangs.
• Leading Western N.M. in digs, Lilouann Bechec averages 5.03 d/s with a 161 total digs. Jade Rampton and Jessica Salas are the teams' leaders for blocks, with 0.66 b/s and 0.52 b/s, respectively.
• Eastern took a season sweep last season over the Mustangs, with the all-time series standing at 34-16 in favor of the Greyhounds. Eastern is 19-6 against the Mustangs at home.