Greyhounds Get Past Lady Mustangs After Tight First Set

Box Score PORTALES, N.M. – Following a first set that could've gone either way, the Western New Mexico University volleyball team suffered a tough opening set loss and then Eastern New Mexico University rode that momentum on their way to a 3-0 victory (26-28, 19-25, 21-25) Monday night in Lone Star Conference action.

WNMU (6-15, 6-7 LSC) held an early 10-8 lead in the first set behind a 3-0 spurt with points from senior Kalie Lyle (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O' Connor) and sophomore Hannah Tishlarich (Elk Grove, CA/Pleasant Grove). The lead stretched to three at 18-15 on a kill by senior Alanna Watt (Hague, Saskatchewan/Hague). The Lady Mustangs kept the pressure on ENMU (9-14, 6-7 LSC) as they moved in front 23-21 following an attack error by the Greyhounds. WNMU had a chance at the first set moving to a 26-25 lead off a kill by senior Kelli McGhiey (Pearl City, HI/Sacred Hearts Academy), but then ENMU responded by taking the next three points to surge back and claim the set at 28-26. Both teams hit exceptionally well in the opening frame with WNMU connecting on .357 to .370 for ENMU.

In the second set, the Lady Mustangs came out firing with Lyle, sophomore Cristal Carrizoza (Phoenix, AZ/North) and senior Heather Verrill (Barstow, CA/Barstow) all tallying points around a few Greyhound errors to take a 5-1 lead. ENMU erased what was a 9-5 WNMU lead behind a 6-0 run to move in front 11-9. In a set full of runs, WNMU came right back with a 4-0 spurt with points from Lyle and Verrill to regain the lead at 13-11. A McGhiey kill had the Lady Mustangs back to within a point at 19-18, but it was too much ENMU down the stretch. The Greyhounds went on a 6-1 run the remainder of the way to grab the 25-19 set win and 2-0 match lead.

WNMU trailed throughout the first 20-plus points of the third set before a kill by Aspen Luna (Rota, Spain/Farragut) helped cap a 4-0 run and move the Lady Mustangs to a 12-11 lead. The Greyhounds responded and looked to be in good shape to take the set holding a 20-17 lead just to watch the Lady Mustangs fight back to knot the set at 21 on a ball handling error. After that, ENMU refused to let the set slip away ripping off a 4-0 run to take the set at 25-21 and the match at 3-0.

WNMU ended up hitting .168 (35 kills to 17 errors in 107 chances), while ENMU countered with a .264 clip (53 kills to 19 errors in 129 chances). The Greyhounds led in service aces (4-2), blocks (6-5), assists (47-33) and digs (51-47).

Lyle hit .240 and led the Lady Mustangs with nine kills. Luna added six. Carrizoza had nine assists, while on defense, Lyle had 15 digs and Verrill and Tishlarich each had three blocks.

Sarah Tuioti-Mariner powered ENMU with 17 kills and hit .400. Brooklyn Biel added 12 kills. Kaitlyn Kluna had 23 assists, while on defense Amanda Dietz sent back five blocks and Andrea Aguilar had 18 digs.

WNMU will return home this coming week when they will face Midwestern State on Friday starting at 6 p.m. Four of the next five matches will be at home for the Lady Mustangs.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Cristal Carrizoza: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#12 Kalie Lyle: OH; 5' 7"; Senior

#7 Kelli McGhiey: OH/MB; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 Hannah Tishlarich: MB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#16 Heather Verrill: RS; 6' 3"; Senior

#2 Aspen Luna: OH; 5' 7"; Junior

#13 Alanna Watt: OH; 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#1 Cristal Carrizoza
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S

#12 Kalie Lyle
: 5' 7"; Senior
: OH

#7 Kelli McGhiey
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OH/MB

#4 Hannah Tishlarich
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB

#16 Heather Verrill
: 6' 3"; Senior
: RS

#2 Aspen Luna
: 5' 7"; Junior
: OH

#13 Alanna Watt
: 5' 9"; Senior
: OH