Portales, N.M. - Winter has officially arrived! I'm close to being back to speaking with all of you, but in the meantime, here's another written edition of Eastern In A Minute. This week is one of beginnings and endings. Fall sports are almost over, but basketball begins as soon as later today. All times listed are in Mountain Time.

Volleyball Rounds Out with a Win
Sophia Valdez moved one step further up the ladder of Greyhound immortality over a split weekend with Oklahoma Christian (3-1 loss) and Cameron (3-0 win). Number 9, fittingly, now sits ninth all-time in program history with 932 kills. Natalie Ceniceros also was able to finish the season on a high note with 11 kills against the Aggies, her new career-best. Eastern New Mexico wraps up the season with an 8-20 record and a 4-13 mark in the Lone Star Conference.

Cross Country's First Venture into Lubbock
The Greyhounds left Lubbock with hardware this past Saturday en route to the NCAA South Central Regionals. Chama El-Hadiri mustered a sixth-place finish in the women's 6K and also earned All-Conference honors from the Lone Star Conference. The next stop is the aforementioned South Central Regionals back over in the Chaparrals' backyard.

Football Stares Down the Ranked Mustangs
Something about Eastern New Mexico matching up with Angelo State outdoors always brings Mother Nature's attention. After a lightning delay of over an hour in San Angelo, the Greyhounds and Rams faced off in the persistent elements. After falling to the Rams by a score of 20-7, the Greyhounds wrap up the season at home against #19 Midwestern State on Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m., but that's not the only sport in town this weekend.

Women's Basketball is Officially Back
No more exhibitions. No more preseason. It's time to hit the court. Women's basketball begins its journey to make it to a third straight NCAA Tournament as it takes on Fort Lewis. There's still time to get tickets for tonight's 5 p.m. matchup, but that's not it for Blake Huber's squad playing in Portales this week. The women's South Central Region Crossover returns to Portales as the Hounds face Regis on November 13th at 5:30 p.m., then Adams State on November 14th at the same time.

Men's Basketball Tips Off in Las Vegas
Picking up the most wins in a season in program history is one thing. Following it up is another. The Greyhounds now look to prove their staying power atop the Lone Star Conference. This year, New Mexico Highlands is hosting the men's South Central Region Crossover. Eastern New Mexico plays the hosting Cowboys on Friday at 5 p.m., then Fort Lewis on Saturday at 3 p.m. on the RMAC Network.

As always, all home contests will be live on FloSports. Go Greyhounds!