Early runs help ENMU take control against Wayland

PLAINVIEW, Texas — Using big runs to pull away in the first two sets, the Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team went on to claim a 25-15, 25-8, 23-25, 25-15 over Wayland Baptist on Tuesday and improve to 3-2 for the young season.

Junior outside hitter Mikaela Garvin collected 11 kills and senior middle blocker Gracelyn Stubbs added 10 as the Hounds cruised most of the way in the first matchup between the schools in 11 years.

Trailing 7-5 early in the opening set, the Hounds went on a 10-1 surge to take control as senior middle blocker Adriana Puni and junior libero/outside hitter Rylee Mapes collected a pair of kills apiece. ENMU then bolted to a 13-1 lead in Game two behind four kills from Garvin and two from senior outside hitter/middle blocker Jordan O’Connor-Dempsey.

The Pioneers (0-5) were able to stay in the third game. They built an early 11-7 advantage, then scored three of the final four points in the set to inch away from a 22-22 deadlock.

In Game 4, the Hounds opened an 8-4 lead, then stretched that to 18-12 behind five kills from Stubbs and were never challenged.

ENMU rolled to a 51-26 advantage in kills and a 68-43 margin in blocks.

Setters Qitana Sapiga (18) and Kayla Ison (16) combined for 34 assists, while junior libero Getsemani Carrasco led in digs with 14.

Junior middle hitter Alexa Hinojos led the Pioneers with 12 kills, while junior defensive specialist Brenna Daniel and junior setters Elizabeth Wirth and Samantha Ingram all produced 10 digs.

The Hounds improved to 19-3 all-time against the Pioneers with their 12th three-game sweep. They won the first 16 matchups and 18 of the first 19 in the series before dropping the last two, in 2008 and 2011.

ENMU was slated for the Denton Volleyfest this weekend in Denton, Texas. The next outing for the Hounds is in the Lone Star Conference crossover tournament on Friday and Saturday in Austin, Texas, hosted by St. Edward’s.