Athletic Report
August 25, 2000

ZIAS OPEN SEASON WITH PAIR OF WINS AT LADY BUFF CLASSIC IN CANYON, TEXAS
CANYON, TX — The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team opened the 2000 season with two wins on Friday, Aug. 25, as the Zias defeated Adams State College and Dallas Baptist University at the Lady Buff Classic in Canyon, Texas.

ENMU downed Adams State, 15-4, 16-14, 16-14, in the first match, then moved past Dallas Baptist, 15-2, 13-15, 15-6, 15-6. The Zias, 2-0, will take on Regis University on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 1:00 p.m. (MST) and will conclude the Lady Buff Classic against the University of the Incarnate Word at 5:00 p.m. (MST).

Adams State fell to 0-1 after losing to ENMU, while Dallas Baptist fell to 0-2 on the season. In the opener, ENMU’s only returning starter, senior outside hitter Tanya Heyko (Salem, OR/Chemeketa C.C.) led the Zias with 14 kills and 13 digs. She also supplied 4 total blocks.

Also earning double-digit kills against Adams State were sophomore middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) with 12 kills and transfer outside hitter Jessica Rowley (Jr., Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) with 11 kills.

The Zias achieved an impressive .632 hitting percentage in the first game of the match against Adams State, recording 14 kills and just 2 errors on 19 total attacks. For the match, ENMU hit .283, led by junior transfer Dee Goble (MB, San Antonio, TX/Central Oklahoma) with a .714 attack percentage (5 kills, 0 errors, 7 attacks). Goble’s sister, freshman setter Margie Goble (San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) also played well, earning 40 assists and 4 digs in her first collegiate match.

Adams State was led by Tanesha Steadham with 10 kills. April Krakow added 7 digs and Sandy Holtz provided 19 assists. The Grizzlies recorded 10 service aces, but could not overcome a .064 hitting percentage. Against Dallas Baptist, the Zias earned another quick victory in the opening game, 15-2, by hitting .471 on 10 kills and 2 errors (17 attacks).

The Zias lost the second game, 13-15, but countered with a pair of 15-6 wins to take the match. Rowley led all players with 15 kills, and also recorded 8 digs. Dee Goble added 11 kills and a .412 hitting percentage, while Margie Goble provided 43 assists, 11 digs and 6 block assists. Heyko contributed 8 kills and 11 digs. Mariner pounded out 8 kills to go with 9 digs and 9 total blocks. The Zias hit .250 for the match, while limiting DBU to a .040 attack percentage.

Top players for the Patriots were Cathy Ray, with 10 kills, and Amanda Kiser, with 8 kills and 9 digs. Melissa Verhey earned 28 assists, and Lindsay Robinson supplied 11 digs.

Following the Lady Buff Classic, the Zias will play at Lubbock Christian University on Tuesday, Aug. 29 (6:00 p.m. MST), before opening their home schedule with the Torneo de Amigas on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2.

Other teams in the tournament will be Colorado School of Mines, Fort Lewis College, Fort Hays State University and Western New Mexico University. ENMU finished the 1999 season with a 26-10 overall record.

The Zias took second place in the Lone Star Conference South Division with an 8-4 mark, and advanced to the semifinals of the LSC Tournament. With Friday’s win, Head Coach Mike Maguire improved his career record at ENMU to 271-162 (.626). He is in his 14th season with the Zias.