PORTALES, N.M. – St. Edward's volleyball posted a nice four-set road win against host Eastern New Mexico in the penultimate match of the LSC Crossover, defeating the Greyhounds 25-23, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21. 
 
"Tonight was huge for our team's experience. Playing against ENMU at ENMU isn't easy, and we found a way to grind out a win," St. Edward's Head Volleyball Coach Jared Te'o says. "We've talked to the team about finding a way to win when we're not playing well. ENMU made it tough for us tonight, and we had to dig deep and find ways to score. Lourdes and Sarah really carried us in many ways, and Kelli was clutch from behind the service line." 
 
KELLI FORDING led the team with 16 kills on 49 attacks and struck with surgical precision from the service line, recording five aces in 17 serve attempts, including back-to-back aces to take the Hilltoppers from down one to set point as part of a 5-0 St. Edward's run to close the set. 
 
LOURDES GOMEZ was a reliable second option, puncturing the defense with 14 kills on an efficient .393 hitting percentage. She also contributed six digs, an ace, and a block assist. The senior outside hitter steadied the team after Eastern New Mexico tied the match with a second-set victory, recording eight kills on a .538 hitting percentage to put St. Edward's back on top. 
 
Both teams struggled to score in the fourth set. St. Edward's hit .081, and Eastern New Mexico .000. But the Hilltoppers were resilient, getting timely kills from Gomez (four on six attempts), a pair of aces, and a defense led by SARAH KONOVODOFF's seven digs in the set that forced the Greyhounds to commit as many errors (seven) as kills. 
 
Konovodoff led the team with 17 digs. Setters JAIDEN LAVANWAY and JORDAN CHAPMAN combined for 43 assists, with Chapman keeping the defense off-balance with three kills on three attempts to go with her 20 assists and two aces. 
 
ADDY BADLEY provided nine kills on a .231 clip, and CORA YOUNG was solid at the net with four block assists and a solo block. 
 
Mikaela Garvin and Gracelyn Stubbs recorded 13 and 10 kills to lead Eastern New Mexico, which hit .108 for the match. St. Edward's hit .129. 
 
St. Edward's improves to 4-7 with the win, dropping Eastern New Mexico down to 6-5. The Hilltoppers will close out the LSC Crossover on Saturday against Midwestern State.