Sports Release
September 13, 1999

EASTERN NEW MEXICO DEFEATS WESTERN NEW MEXICO IN FOUR GAMES
SILVER CITY, NM — Eastern New Mexico University’s volleyball team lost the first game to Western New Mexico University, but the Zias rallied to win the next three games for a 15-17, 15-6, 15-13, 15-13 victory over the Lady Mustangs on Mon., Sept. 13.

The win improved ENMU to 8-2 on the season, while WNMU fell to 9-4. The loss avenged Eastern’s 14-16, 14-16, 14-16 defeat to the Mustangs at the Adams State College Fall Brawl on Fri., Sept. 3. The teams will play one more time during the regular season: Mon., Oct. 18, when WNMU travels to Portales to play the Zias at Greyhound Arena (7:00 p.m.).

Eastern’s road victory was made possible by 19 kills and 28 digs by junior outside hitter Tanya Heyko (Salem, OR/Chemeketa C.C.). Senior outside hitter Irma Cobos (Kermit, TX/Kermit H.S.) contributed 15 kills and 19 digs, while senior middle blocker Maricela Santos (Laredo, TX/Laredo C.C.) just missed a triple-double, earning 9 kills, 10 digs, and 10 total blocks. The Zias also received 43 assists and 14 digs from senior setter Lindsey Davison (Kelso, WA/Columbia Basin College).

After narrowly losing the first game, 15-17, the Zias rolled to a 15-6 win in the second game. Eastern then closed out the match by winning the next two games by identical 15-13 scores.

In the two matches between ENMU and WNMU this season 6 of the 7 games have been decided by a 2-point margin.

In Monday night’s match, Western’s top player was Veronica Mitchell, who earned 10 kills, 8 digs and 3 total blocks. Kristen Sloboden added 8 kills and 8 digs, while setter Heather Komernicky provided 46 assists, 15 digs and 4 total blocks.

Both teams struggled on offense. The Zias achieved a .159 hitting percentage during the match, while WNMU was held to a .082 hitting percentage.

The Zias’ next game is their Lone Star Conference opener at Texas A&M-Kingsville on Fri., Sept. 17 at 6:00 p.m. (MDT). Last year, ENMU took second place in the LSC South at 9-3.