October 20, 1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Judy Willson, SID
505.562.4309 or 356-4755

Tuesday, October 21
Eastern New Mexico at New Mexico Highlands University 7:00 pm
Wilson Complex, Las Vegas, New Mexico

Friday, October 24
Angelo State University at Eastern New Mexico 7:00 pm
Greyhound Arena, Portales, New Mexico

Saturday, October 25
Abilene Christian University at Eastern New Mexico 7:00 pm
Greyhound Arena, Portales, New Mexico

Tuesday, October 28
College of the Southwest at Eastern New Mexico 7:00 pm
Greyhound Arena, Portales, New Mexico

The Zias (12-12, 3-4 LSC South)...finally got to play at home after one last road trip to West Texas A&M. On Tuesday, the Zias lost a tough one the Lady Buffs in Canyon, Texas, 0-3. Outside hitter Charlene Hunt (Jr., Folsom, Calif.) had 9 kills, while Stacey Estlund (S, Sr., Clarkston, Wash.) had 18 assists. They got to come back home after 26 days on Friday and lost to Texas Woman's, 1-3. Hunt was the kill leader again with 17. Senior outside hitter Tara Dougherty (Clovis) had 12, while Estlund put up 40 assists. The Pioneers are currently the top team in the LSC-North Division.

On Saturday, the Zias beat Texas A&M-Commerce, 3-1 to even their record at 12-12. Dougherty had 20 kills and 3 service aces in the Zias' win. Estlund had 53 assists.

Roster changes...junior transfers Tina Wehrli (Visalia, Calif.), Stacie Wilshire (Visalia, Calif.) and Gina Rhyno (Fernley, Nev.) have left the team for personal reasons.

This Week....the Zias take another short trip north to Las Vegas to take on intrastate rival New Mexico Highlands. ENMU beat the Cowgirls in two matches earlier in the season.

Then it is back home again for two LSC-South Division matches against Angelo State University and Abilene Christian University. The Rambelles are 8-15 overall going into Monday's match with Texas Lutheran. They are 4-3 in the LSC-South. ASU beat the Zias earlier in the season in San Angelo in five games. The Wildcats are 6-12 overall going into Friday's match at West Texas A&M. They are 2-4 in the LSC-South. ENMU beat ACU earlier this season in Abilene in five games.

Record watch...Stacey Estlund added 111 assists to her collection last week, bringing her grand total to 2,060. She is sitting in second place on the Zias' all-time career assist list. Sitting on top of the list is Barbara Lynn (1983-86) with 2,165. Estlund needs 106 assists to top Lynn. She has 8 regular season matches to break the record, but hopes to break it at home within the next week.

Estlund is currently fifth on the season assist list with 907. She needs 270 assists to break the season record of 1,176 assists set by Brandi Reynolds in 1995. She already holds second place with her 1,153 assists last season.

The New LSC...the 1997 season begins expanded conference competition with 13 schools competing for the Lone Star Conference title. ENMU will compete in the South Division with Abilene Christian University, Angelo State University, Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University. The Zias were picked third in the 1997 LSC-South Division Pre-season Volleyball Poll with 174 points behind West Texas A&M and Texas A&M-Kingsville. They will play each team in the South Division at home and on the road, with four matches thrown in against North Division opponents. ENMU will play Cameron University, University of Central Oklahoma, Texas A&M University-Commerce and Texas Woman's University. North Division schools Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University are not on the 1997 schedule. The top three teams from each division will advance to the LSC Post-season Tournament on November 11, 13 and 15.

Coming Up for the Zias...will be at home on Tuesday, October 28 against new opponent College of the Southwest from down the road in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Admission...is free to all Zia regular season home volleyball matches.

Domino's Pizza Giveaway...occurs between the second and third games of every home Zia volleyball match. Fans with the right game program are invited down to the court to try their luck at serving for a Domino's pizza.