Almost 13 years to the day, the Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team claimed its first set at West Texas A&M since Oct. 12, 2004 after rallying late in the second to secure a 28-26 edge to tie the match. The Greyhounds were unable to swing the momentum, however, falling to the Lady Buffs, 3-1 (22-25, 28-26, 17-25, 16-25). The Green and Silver move to 8-13 on the season and 5-6 in Lone Star Conference action.
Sarah Tuioti-Mariner led the Eastern offense with 10 kills while Natasha McClendon, Brooklyn Biel and Jasmine Gannon all had eight kills. Kaitlyn Kluna and Alexis Aguirre both dished out 20 assists while Marissa Ellis and Tuioti-Mariner snagged double-digit digs. Libero Andrea Aguilar picked up her 1,700th-career dig early in the match and finished tied for the team-lead with 13.
Both teams went back-and-forth in the first set with neither side gaining a sizable advantage. With the score tied at 21, WT went on a 4-1 run to claim the 1-0 advantage. In the second set, the Greyhounds overcame a slow start, falling behind 10-3 before a 10-3 run by the Hounds evened the score at 16 before a teeter-totter affair down the stretch. Facing set point down 26-25, a service error paired with kills from McClendon and Tuioti-Mariner gave the Hounds their first set win at The Box since 2004.
The Hounds were unable to ride the wave, however, falling in the third and fourth set after suffering early deficits.
ENMU is back in action on Friday, Oct. 20 at Texas A&M-Kingsville. First serve against the Javelinas is slated for 6 p.m. in Kingsville, Texas. For all the latest news on the Greyhounds volleyball program, follow @greyhoundvball and @ENMUAthletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit GoEasternAthletics.com.
-Eastern New Mexico University-
Volleyball
Will Edwards
