The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team lost in straight sets to St. Edward's University on Saturday at the Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena during Senior Day. The final scores were 25-18, 25-18, and 25-13 in favor of the Hilltoppers.
Amya Speller led the Greyhounds with six kills and a .333 hitting percentage, also contributing four blocks. "The middle blocker's presence at the net provided one of the few bright spots for ENMU in the 25-18, 25-18, 25-13 defeat," according to the university.
Sophia Valdez added seven kills but finished with a .050 hitting percentage due to difficulties against St. Edward's defense. She also had two digs. Catalina Gutierrez directed the offense with 12 assists and added two digs from her setter position.
Addison Bartlett recorded four kills but struggled against the opposing block, ending with a -.077 hitting percentage. Linden Pennings contributed four kills and a .429 hitting percentage in limited play.
On defense, ENMU registered nine total blocks but could not stop St. Edward's balanced attack. Imahni Brown led with seven digs, two assists, and one service ace.
The Greyhounds had difficulty maintaining offensive efficiency throughout the match, recording a .060 team hitting percentage compared to St. Edward’s .370. ENMU had 27 kills and 22 errors; meanwhile, St. Edward’s tallied 64 kills and only 11 errors.
St. Edward’s was paced by Mia Clay’s 11 kills and Grace McDonald’s eight as they controlled the match tempo. The Hilltoppers posted 13 total blocks and collected 34 digs on defense.
Eastern New Mexico will travel to Oklahoma Christian for their next conference match on Friday, aiming to improve their record in their final road trip of the season.
