Athletic Report
October 5, 1999

WEST TEXAS A&M DEFEATS EASTERN NEW MEXICO, 15-6, 15-12, 15-9
CANYON, TX — All-American Sarah Butler of West Texas A&M University recorded 19 kills and 16 digs, as the Lady Buffs, ranked #3 in NCAA Division II defeated the visiting Zias of Eastern New Mexico University, 15-6, 15-12, 15-9, Oct. 5 in Canyon, Texas. WTAMU remained undefeated at 21-0 on the season, and took over the Lone Star Conference South Division lead at 6-0. ENMU dropped to 14-4 overall and 5-1 in the LSC South.

The first game started slowly, with West Texas A&M scoring a point, then ENMU and the Lady Buffs combining for 12 consecutive sideouts. WTAMU scored the game's first four points and also led 9-4. Eastern pulled within 9-6 on a kill by junior outside hitter Tanya Heyko (Salem, OR/Chemeketa C.C.) and a ball handling error by West Texas.

The Lady Buffs scored the next six points -- three on hitting errors by ENMU -- to close out the game, 15-6. ENMU held the lead for a great portion of the second game. The Zias scored the game's first three points on their way to a 5-3 advantage.

Later, Aubrey Gladstone (Jr., MB, Kennewick, WA/Columbia Basin College) blocked a WTAMU kill attempt for a 7-6 Eastern lead. The Zias also led 8-7, but West Texas eventually moved in front, 12-10.

The Zias tied the game at 12-12 on a solo block by Maricela Santos (Sr., MB, Laredo, TX/Laredo C.C.). The Lady Buffs retook the lead 13-12, and after four sideouts, WTAMU earned back-to-back kills for a 15-12 victory.

WTAMU opened the third game with a 4-point run. The Zias -- bolstered by 3 kills from Christabell Mariner (Fr., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) -- pulled to within 6-3. The Zias also trailed, 10-7, but never got closer. as WTAMU won the game, 15-9. In addition to Butler's performance, West Texas received 12 kills and 8 digs from Shannon Stroud, and 9 kills and 5 blocks from Megan Jacobson.

Lauren Nichols added 16 digs. Eastern New Mexico was led by senior outside hitter Irma Cobos (Kermit, TX/Kermit H.S.), who earned 7 kills and 12 digs. Heyko provided the Zias with 5 kills and 10 digs, while Santos achieved 5 kills and 3 total blocks.

The Zias return to action this weekend (Oct. 8-9) at the Texas Woman's Tournament in Denton, Texas. Eastern plays Texas A&M-Commerce (11:00 a.m. CDT) and Incarnate Word (3:00 p.m.) on Fri., Oct. 8. The Zias will take on St. Edward’s at 1:00 p.m. and Texas Woman’s at 5:00 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 9.