Hounds keep it rolling with LSC crossover sweep

AUSTIN, Texas — So far, the Eastern New Mexico University volleyball keeps on finding ways to win.

On Saturday, the Greyhounds completed a three-game sweep of the Lone Star Conference crossover tournament with a pulsating 28-26, 24-26, 26-24, 25-27, 15-11 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville.

The Hounds (9-3) have won eight of their last nine matches heading into the start of LSC play with contests against Oklahoma Christian on Friday and Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday at Greyhound Arena.

Junior outside hitter Mikaela Garvin posted a career-best 22 kills for the Hounds, while seniors Jordan O’Connor-Dempsey and Gracelyn Stubbs both had 12 kills and five block assists.

ENMU got double-doubles from senior middle blocker Adriana Puni (11 kills, 13 digs), junior setter/outside hitter Jaylynn Nihipali (19 digs, a personal-best 33 assists) and senior setter Qitana Sapiga (11 digs, 20 assists).

The Hounds led early 8-2 in the first set, but Kingsville closed fast and pulled it out late. ENMU then opened a 19-13 advantage in Game 2, but needed kills from O’Connor-Dempsey and Garvin to close out the set after the Javelinas (6-5) rallied back to 24-24.

Game 3 found the Javelinas in front most of the way, but the Hounds grabbed a late 24-23 lead before Kingsville got the next three points. The Javelinas then got to match point in Game 4, but ENMU used kills from O’Connor-Dempsey and Garvin to help force a fifth set.

A 3-0 spurt gave Kingsville a 7-4 lead in the fifth set, but two aces by Nihipali and a kill each from Garvin and Puni gave the Hounds a 10-8 lead. A double-block from Garvin and Puni and a kill from Garvin made it a four-point lead, and O’Connor added a kill and Garvin two to wrap up the contest.

The Hounds are off to their best start since 2004, when they also began the campaign 9-3 en route to a 25-9 record and a berth in the NCAA Division II Southwest Regional finals.

ENMU 3, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 1 (men’s soccer, Sunday) — At Rapid City, S.D., junior forward Jaime Oliva scored twice in a span of just over 10 minutes to rally the Greyhounds (2-2-1) from a 1-0 halftime deficit against the Hardrockers (1-3-1).

Mines got on the board late in the half off a corner kick, but the Greyhounds tied it just over four minutes into the second canto when Hardrockers goalkeeper Daniel Freitas tried unsuccessfully to block a cross pass and left Oliva open in front of the goal. Oliva found the net again near the midway point of the half, and junior forward Jonathan De Motta added an insurance tally in the 68th minute.

ENMU posted a 10-4 margin in shots on goal and a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Tuesday, the Hounds were slated to complete their pre-Lone Star Conference slate at Adams State. They open LSC action with a 6 p.m. (MDT) tilt on Saturday at St. Mary’s.

Metro State 1, ENMU 0 (women’s soccer, Sunday) — Junior midfielder Luna Garcia found the bottom corner of the net in the 68th minute and the Denver-based Roadrunners spoiled ENMU’s home opener on Sunday at Greyhound Stadium.

Metro State (4-1-1) put three shots on goal early in the half, all turned away by junior goalkeeper Samantha Jeffries, before Garcia came up with the day’s lone tally.

ENMU (2-3) was limited to one shot on goal by the Roadrunners, who also posted a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. All five of the Greyhounds’ outings this season have resulted in either 1-0 or 2-0 shutouts.

The Hounds are slated to begin LSC action at 5 p.m. today when they host Midwestern State at Greyhound Field.