Cowgirls notch 3-game sweep against ENMU

PORTALES — Senior outside hitter Ashley Murray had 13 kills Tuesday night to help New Mexico Highlands beat Eastern New Mexico University 25-21, 25-23, 25-17 in non-conference volleyball at Greyhound Arena.

The Cowgirls (7-10) led most of the way. They opened a five-point margin midway through the first game, then weathered a rally by the Zias (6-16) to close it out.

In the second set, Highlands scored the first six points and never relinquished the lead, although the Zias pulled to 24-23 before Kristina Petty earned a kill for the Cowgirls on match point.

ENMU managed a 3-2 lead early in Game 3, but Highlands scored the next five points, then went on another 5-0 run to open a 20-11 cushion.

Petty added nine kills for Highlands, while sophomore middle blocker Dominique Benton contributed seven kills and four total blocks.

The Zias, beginning a weeklong homestand, got eight kills each from freshmen Sarah Koch and Jessica King.

ENMU returns to Lone Star Conference South Division play with a 7 p.m. match on Thursday against Texas A&M-Commerce and a 2 p.m. contest on Saturday against Texas Woman’s.