PORTALES, N.M. – In a back-and-forth match, the St. Edward's volleyball team surrendered a .370 hitting percentage in the decisive fifth set to fall 3-2 to the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds (25-21, 28-30, 25-18, 16-25, 15-10). 
 
KELLI FORDING led St. Edward's with 18 kills, and ADDY BADLEY contributed 11, but the Hilltoppers committed 35 attack errors and 12 service errors in the loss. 
 
St. Edward's generated a 12-9 kills advantage in the first set, but the Greyhounds countered with five blocks, including three down the stretch as part of a 6-1 run to close the set. 
 
ADDY BADLEY keyed a balanced attack in the second set with six kills. Kaylen Lembke and Fording had four each, and CORA YOUNG was efficient with three kills on five attacks. Fording struggled with her efficiency but was clutch with back-to-back kills to tie the match with a 30-28 win. 
 
The Hilltoppers struggled in the third set, committing more attack errors (11) than kills (10) with only two Eastern New Mexico blocks to give the Greyhounds the lead. St. Edward's bounced back with five aces in the fourth set, limiting Eastern New Mexico to -.080 hitting to tie the match with a 25-16 win. 
 
Both teams were tied at 8-8 in the fifth set, but Eastern New Mexico closed the match on a 7-2 run. Sophia Valdez had four kills on five attacks in the final set and finished with 14 on .282 hitting for the match. 
 
St. Edward's falls to 9-12 with a 1-9 conference record. The Hilltoppers will host Angelo State next Friday for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.