Athletic Report
October 30, 1999

EASTERN NEW MEXICO DOWNS TARLETON STATE
Zias Close in on LSC Tournament Berth
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico Zias received a career high 24 kills from Irma Cobos (Sr., OH, Kermit, TX/Kermit H.S.) and defeated Tarleton State, 15-11, 11-15, 15-11, 15-9, in a Lone Star Conference match on Sat., Oct. 30 at Greyhound Arena. ENMU improved to 23-9 on the season. TSU fell to 17-11 overall.

With the win, the Zias moved close to one of three South Division berths in the LSC Tournament. ENMU (7-4 LSC) is 2nd behind West Texas A&M (11-0). The Zias can clinch a berth by defeating TAMU-Kingsville next Saturday. The Zias may also qualify even if they lose. Other contenders as of Friday night were Abilene Christian (5-5), TAMU-Kingsville (5-5), and Angelo State (4-5). TSU (4-6) may still qualify, but cannot catch ENMU.

Cobos, 2nd at ENMU with 1,194 career kills, hit .384 and earned 18 digs against the TexAnns. Her 24 kills surpassed her previous high of 22 versus Bellarmine (Aug. 27, 1999). In Saturday’s match with Tarleton State, ENMU won the first game 15-11 behind 7 kills from junior outside hitter Tanya Heyko (Salem, OR/Chemeketa C.C.).

TSU battled back with a 15-11 win the second game, as outside hitter Jelena Miljanic recorded 10 kills. Miljanic finished the match with 32 kills and 28 digs for the TexAnns. Eastern build a 7-1 lead in the third game, but Tarleton State pulled back within a single point, 7-6. ENMU put together another offensive surge and took a 14-6 lead. TSU cut the deficit to 14-11. ENMU won the game when a TexAnn was called for a net violation.

The Zias took command in Game #4. Three kills for points by Cobos and a service ace by Annette Luafalemana-Tanielu (Kaunakakai, HI/Eastern Arizona) helped the Zias take an 8-1 lead.

ENMU led 14-5 before the TexAnns scored four straight points — three on kills by Miljanic. The rally fell short, as ENMU won the game, 15-9.

Heyko connected for 15 kills and a team-high 28 digs for the Zias. Heather DesMarais (Sr., RS, Yakima, WA/Columbia Basin College) provided 10 kills and Luafalemana-Tanielu added 20 digs.

Senior setter Lindsey Davison (Kelso, WA/Columbia Basin) recorded 55 assists and supplied 21 digs. She extended her ENMU career assist record to 2,691 assists.

Sharon Lister gave the TexAnns 17 kills. She also recorded 19 digs and supplied 3 block assists. Brooke McDowell added 58 assists, and Kara McCrory led all players with 31 digs.

The Zias remain at home this evening for a match against Mesa State College. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. (Mountain).