November 13, 1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Judy Willson, SID
505.562.4309 or 356-4755
(Portales, N.M.) --- The Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball team will open the 1997-98 season on Thursday, November 20 at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma at 5:00 pm (MT). The Zias, under head coach Wayne Moore, began preseason workouts with eight returning players, including five starters, and seven newcomers.
Among the starters back are All-Lone Star Conference honorable mention selections Leigh Dalluge and Jon Alair. Dalluge is a senior from Tulia, Texas and the only three-year player on the team. Alair, a sophomore from Canyon, Texas, will redshirt this season. A member of the Colorado Christian All-Tournament Team last year, Alair will have surgery on both ankles during the season.
"We are a more experienced team than last year even with 11 freshmen and sophomores on the roster," said Moore. "We have a good balance of new and experienced at each position. We have improved athleticism - quicker, stronger. We are going to be a team that people are going to have to adjust to."
The Zias were voted fifth in the LSC-South Division with 210 points. "I look for Abilene Christian to be the team to beat. Being picked fifth is fine. I think we have the tools to challenge in the division. It will depend on how we develop as a team."
Two players return at the post positions for Moore - Dalluge and sophomore Amanda Mendez. Dalluge, a 6-2 three-year starter, is expected to continue being a force underneath and around the basket, and help the younger post players develop their game. She led the LSC in rebounding last season with an 8.4 average, was 4th in blocked shots, 10th in free throw shooting and 15th in field goal percentage. Dalluge is currently 16th on the Zias all-time scoring list with 682 points and 3rd on the ENMU all-time rebounding list with 671 rebounds. Mendez, a 5-11 sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, is expected to be a scoring threat for the Zias because of her ability to run the floor well, score and rebound. She finished last season 3rd in blocked shots in the LSC and earned LSC Player of the Week honors in early February.
The Zia coaching staff brought in three freshmen to gain experience at the post position. Breanne Baker (Sudan, Texas) will play small post at 5-9. She is expected to be a strong player around the post despite her size. Kathryne Hickman (6-0, San Antonio, Texas) was the TAPPS 4A Athlete of the Year last season for Castle Hills Baptist School. She has been able to pick up the Zia system quickly and has shown good basketball instincts in running the floor well, shooting and rebounding. Bobbie Wallin (6-1, Moriarty) was the New Mexico 3A Player of the Year for Moriarty High School. She has good ball handling skills and is expected to be an active low post player for the Zias.
Eastern New Mexico has five players returning at the wing position. Junior Bria Norris (5-10, Amarillo, Texas), a co-captain with Dalluge, has not let up since joining the Zias two seasons ago. Norris is one of the top three-point shooters in the Lone Star Conference. She is expected to have a good season with her improved shooting and increased maturity as a player. Alair, a 28-game starter as a freshman, will be missed at the wing spot, especially her scoring ability from middle to long range. Senior Kim Jennings (5-9, Rio Rancho) has been converted to an outside player. Jennings is a good standing shooter with three years of college experience and plays well under pressure. Sophomore Sharon Max (6-0, Fruitland) has the ability to play both wing positions and some point guard. She has exceptional ball handling skills and good basketball instincts. Junior Shelly Bramblett (5-9, Clint, Texas) is a tough utility player for the Zias. Bramblett has the ability to contribute as an inside or outside player.
A transfer and a freshman are the newcomers to the wing position. Sophomore Stacy Hinson (5-6, Brownfield, Texas) transferred to ENMU last January from Western Texas College and sat out last season. Hinson is a solid shooter and defender, with the ability to know exactly where the ball is going on defense. As a freshman at Western Texas, she was the third leading scorer in her league. Freshman Brandi Bates (5-8, Plainview, Texas) has been described by the Zia coaching staff as "quicker than a hiccup". She is expected to contribute on the court immediately with her shooting and rebounding skills. As a junior at Plainview High School, she led the South Plains Region (all classes) in rebounding.
Junior Julie Smith (5-8, Albuquerque) brings a solid learn-as-you-go year of experience to the point guard position. Smith became the starting point guard for the Zias right before the season started last year when Tracy Simms sat out with ankle surgery. Smith gave a strong 28-game performance for the Zias, finishing 5th in the LSC in assists and 14th in steals. Smith has the ability to get the Zias into their offense and has proven to be a strong floor leader.
Smith will be challenged this season by two freshmen. Jennifer Dvorak (5-6, San Antonio, Texas) and Lenni Hartley (5-6, Roy) will be fighting for court time with Smith. Dvorak, a product of James Madison High School like post player Amanda Mendez, has the skills to develop into a solid point guard for the Zias but needs to gain the court experience. Hartley, out of Roy High School, has been a pleasant surprise to the Zia staff. She is a solid defensive player and has been improving her skills every day since practice began in October.
Eastern New Mexico will compete in the South Division of the Lone Star Conference. The Zias will play each team in the division home-and-away, with four cross-division games that do not factor into divisional standings. The LSC postseason tournament will consist of the #1 seed in each division followed by the four next best divisional records (six teams advance out of 17).