Commerce turns back Hounds in four

Staff report

COMMERCE, Texas — Veronika Baric compiled 19 blocks and nine digs on Friday and Texas A&M-Commerce rallied for a 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 Lone Star Conference volleyball victory over Eastern New Mexico University.

Taryn Driver added 12 kills for the Lions (13-3, 5-5 LSC). Junior outside hitter Lauren Frye posted 11 kills and sophomore middle blocker Brooklyn Biel added 10 for the Greyhounds (10-12, 3-7).

ENMU led most of the first set, breaking it open a bit late after the teams battled on even terms early. An ace by sophomore defensive specialist Lindsey Bost and a kill by Biel capped a 4-0 run that put the Hounds in front for good at 15-11.

The Hounds used a 6-1 surge to take a 6-3 lead early in the second game. Commerce pulled ahead 12-11 on a kill by Driver, but ENMU opened a two-point lead at 20-18.

Freshman middle blocker Amanda Dietz gave the Hounds a 21-20 lead with a kill, but the Lions pulled it out on three consecutive kills, a Hounds attack error and an ace on set point by Courtney Tate.

After committing an attack error to start Game 3, the Lions went on an 8-1 run and stayed in control, letting the Hounds get within three points only once in the set.

In the fourth set, Commerce erased a 5-4 deficit with five consecutive kills — the last three by Baric. The Hounds pulled even six times, but Commerce took the lead for good at 17-16 on a block by Sydney Reyes while Driver posted a kill on match point.

The Hounds turn around for another conference matchup today against Texas Woman’s, scheduled for 1 p.m. (MDT) in Denton, Texas.