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Zias win 17th in row over OPSU

FNM correspondent: Joshua Lucero ENMU’s Bree Lucero jumps to block Oklahoma Panhandle State’s Shelby Kimball during Tuesday night’s non-conference volleyball match at Greyhound Arena.

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University’s volleyball team may be struggling this season, but the Zias still know how to beat Panhandle State.

Senior middle blocker Jessica King had 10 kills and two total blocks and junior outside hitter Amber Durand collected nine kills, 14 digs and two aces as ENMU (5-15) swatted the Lady Aggies 25-12, 25-11, 25-16 Tuesday night at Greyhound Arena — their 17th consecutive win over Panhandle.

The Zias scored the first four points of the match and led all the way except for the first few points at the start of Game 2. Durand had two kills out of the blocks in the early run and the lead was never less than three the rest of the set.

Breanna Drayer’s kill gave OPSU (3-21) a 1-0 lead in the second set. The Lady Aggies went ahead again 2-1 on a Zias attack error, but ENMU rattled off the next six points — getting five kills from four players — and never looked back.

A kill by Clovis Christian junior Jennifer Schaap, a service ace by freshman setter Kennedi Catano and four OPSU errors had the Zias out to a 6-0 lead in the third set. The margin reached double figures at 14-4 on a kill by Fort Sumner junior Bree Lucero, and Lucero had another kill on match point.

Drayer and Kacie Patterson led the Lady Aggies with five kills apiece.

ENMU returns to Lone Star Conference action on Thursday with a 6 p.m. (MDT) match at Texas A&M-Kingsville.