DENTON, Texas (Sept. 25, 2026) – The Texas Woman's volleyball team returned to the win column Friday night, defeating Eastern New Mexico in four sets inside Kitty Magee Arena.
TWU (4-9, 1-2 LSC) picked up its first Lone Star Conference victory of the season with the 3-1 win over Eastern New Mexico (4-9, 1-2 LSC), 25-12, 25-19, 16-25, 25-21.
The Pioneers came out firing in the opening set, hitting .345 with 11 kills and just one attack error. TWU jumped ahead early and never looked back, closing the set on a 6-0 run to secure a dominant 25-12 win.
TWU carried its momentum into the second set. The Pioneers recorded 15 kills and held Eastern New Mexico to a .000 hitting percentage for the second straight frame en route to a 25-19 victory and a 2-0 match advantage.
The Greyhounds responded in the third set, hitting .257 while limiting TWU to a .023 clip. Eastern New Mexico claimed the set 25-16 to extend the match.
The Pioneers answered in the fourth.
TWU delivered its best offensive performance since the opening frame, recording 18 kills on a .318 hitting percentage. The Pioneers closed out the Greyhounds 25-21 to secure their first conference victory of the season.
Mary Grace King led the Pioneers with a match-high 17 kills while adding 20 digs.
Trinity Blackwood finished with 11 kills and five blocks.
Charlise Smith added 10 kills and delivered the match winning kill.
Alyssa Rojo anchored the TWU defense with a match-high 23 digs.
Lorena Gómez finished with 25 assists, 12 digs and three service aces.
Cat Millsap added 18 assists.
The Pioneers finished the night with 54 kills on a .206 hitting percentage while holding Eastern New Mexico to 36 kills and a .114 hitting percentage.
TWU also held advantages in assists, 50-32, blocks, 8-6, and digs, 69-66.
PRIME PEFORMERS
- Mary Grace King recorded a match-high 17 kills and added 20 digs.
- Trinity Blackwood finished with 11 kills and tied for the team lead with five blocks.
- Charlise Smith added 10 kills to give TWU three players in double figures as well at the match winning kill.
- Alyssa Rojo led all players with 23 digs.
- Lorena Gómez directed the offense with 25 assists while adding 12 digs and three aces.
KEY MOMENTS
- Set 1 Pioneers Set the Tone Early: TWU jumped out to a 5-0 advantage and controlled the opening frame from start to finish. The Pioneers closed the set with six straight points to take it, 25-12. TWU recorded 11 kills with just one error and hit .345 while holding Eastern New Mexico to a .000 hitting percentage.
- Set 2 TWU Extends the Lead: The Pioneers continued to control the match in the second frame, recording 15 kills on their way to a 25-19 win. TWU once again held the Greyhounds to a .000 hitting percentage and took a 2-0 advantage in the match.
- Set 3 Eastern New Mexico Responds: The Greyhounds found their offensive rhythm in the third set, recording 13 kills and hitting .257. TWU totaled 10 kills in the frame, but Eastern New Mexico took the set, 25-16, to force a fourth.
- Set 4 Pioneers Finish the Job: TWU responded with its strongest offensive frame of the night, totaling 18 kills and hitting .318. The Pioneers held off Eastern New Mexico, 25-21, to close out the match and secure their first Lone Star Conference victory of the season.
UP NEXT
The Pioneers host West Texas A&M Saturday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. inside Kitty Magee Arena for Country Night.
