Game Recap: Women’s Volleyball |  | Cameron Brennan

PORTALES, N.M – Eastern New Mexico volleyball dropped a five-set thriller against Dallas Baptist University, 3-2, on Friday evening at Greyhound Arena. The Hounds fall to 6-18 on the year, with a 6-10 conference standing. Meanwhile, the Lady Patriots improve to 13-6, while holding a 10-6 conference record.

The first set began with a DBU 7-3 lead, following a 5-0 scoring run. Eastern didn’t let the Lady Patriots get to far away, posting a 5-0 run of their own to tie the score at 10-10. The set swayed back and forth, until ENMU strung together a 6-0 streak to hold a 20-15 advantage. Jasmine Gannon found a kill and a service ace during the run. However, DBU tied the set, 24-24, as both teams persisted. The Hounds sealed the first set after a Gannon kill, Jordan O’Connor-Dempsey supplied a solo block ending the set 27-25 ENMU. The set saw 10 tie scores and two lead changes.

The second set was just as close as the first, with both teams going back and forth. DBU began the set on a 5-0 stretch, just to have the Greyhounds tie the set after a 6-1 run. At that point the two teams went back and forth, with neither team able to establish control. The set came down to the very end as both teams were knotted up at 24-24. DBU closed the set with the final two points, 26-24, tying the match at 1-1.

DBU jumped out to an early lead in the third set, holding an 8-5 lead. Eastern got to within one point at 13-12 DBU, but the Lady Patriots opened a 5-0 streak to establish a comfortable lead. ENMU did not quit, bringing the score even at 23-23 to continue a tightly contested set. The Lady Patriots captured the middle set following a kill and service ace, 25-23.

ENMU bounced back in the fourth set, jumping out to an early 10-6 lead. DBU pulled back the score to 13-13 as both teams were well matched. However, the Greyhounds sprung a 5-1 run to build momentum, 18-14. Then, finished the set on a 7-2 run, to claim the fourth set 25-19, sending the match to a decisive fifth set. During the runs, Gracelyn Stubbs and Kali Nelson each found kills, while the pair each found a block in the closing stages of the fourth set.

The fifth set saw the Lady Patirots jump out a sizeable lead from the start. DBU opened the final set on a 10-2 run, while finding seven service aces in the final stanza. In the end, DBU claimed the final set comfortably, 15-5, winning the match 3-2.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Lady Patriots edged the Greyhounds in kills (61-58), and assists (55-54).
  • ENMU held strong defensively, posting more digs (77-61), and more blocks (13-3).
  • Gannon led the Hounds effort with 16 kills, Mikaela Garvin and Nelson each contributed 10 kills on the night.
  • Rae Sapiga paved the way with 28 assists, while Qitana Sapiga added 20 assists to the effort.
  • Defensively, Gannon posted 20 digs, with Daejia Rodriguez suppling 15 digs, and O’Connor-Dempsey adding 14 digs.
  • On the night, Stubbs and Adriana Puni each posted six total blocks. Stubbs found two solo blocks and four block assists, while Puni registered six block assists.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • DBU now holds a 6-4 series advantage over ENMU, after winning both matches this year. The first being a 3-1 victory on Sept. 3, 2021.
  • This was the first time DBU and ENMU faced each other at Greyhound Arena.
  • Leading the defense, Gannon notched a career high 20 digs, while O’Connor-Dempsey also set a career best with 14 digs. Puni tied a season-best eight kills during the match.
  • Three Greyhounds posted double-doubles: Gannon (16 kills, 20 digs), R. Sapiga (28 assists, 13 digs), and Q. Sapiga (20 assists, 10 assists).
  • Eastern will play its home finale against Texas Women’s University, Saturday, Nov. 13, with first serve at 12 p.m. The Greyhounds will be recognizing its Seniors of the program for Senior Day just before the start of the match.