Athletic Report
October 24, 2000

WEST TEXAS A&M RALLIES TO DEFEAT EASTERN NEW MEXICO, 3-1
CANYON, TX — Eastern New Mexico University won the first game of its match at West Texas A&M University, 18-16, forcing the nationally-ranked Lady Buffaloes to come from behind to defeated the Zias in four games, in the Lone Star Conference South Division match, Oct. 24 in Canyon, Texas. WTAMU, ranked #4 in the NCAA Division II Poll, won the final three games of the match, 15-4, 15-4, 15-7, to improve to 29-1 overall and 8-0 in the LSC South. ENMU fell to 22-10 on the season, 4-4 in the LSC South.

ENMU trailed 4-1 and 8-5 in the opening game, but eventually tied the game, 8-8. The teams were tied again, 9-9, before WTAMU scored four consecutive points for 13-9 edge. The Zias answered with four points of their own, including two kills by Jessica Rowley (Jr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) and one kill by Tanya Heyko (Sr., OH, Salem, OR/Chemeketa C.C.).

The game was close the rest of the way, with WTAMU earning game point opportunities at 14-13 and 15-14, and ENMU moving within one point of the win at 16-15 and 17-16. Junior middle blocker Dee Goble (San Antonio, TX/Central Oklahoma) and sophomore middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) provided the winning point by teaming up to block a WTAMU kill attempt.

West Texas A&M, which committed 10 attacking errors in the first game, totaled only 9 kill errors during the final three games. In Game #2, the Lady Buffs produced 14 kills and just 1 error for a .562 hitting percentage. WTAMU hit .359 in Game #3 and .382 in Game #4, while making just 4 attacking errors per game.

For the match, West Texas hit .337, while limiting the Zias to a .124 hitting percentage. ENMU’s top game was the opener, when the Zias hit .250. Eastern did not hit above .110 during any of the final three games.

In the fourth game, ENMU rallied from a 5-0 deficit to pull within two points at 7-5. West Texas responded with two quick points to take a 9-5 lead, then extended its advantage to 12-5 with three more points. The Zias cut the deficit to 12-7, but couldn’t complete the rally against WTAMU’s solid defense. The Lady Buffs finished the match with 80 digs.

Shannon Stroud led four WTAMU players with double-dig kills. Stroud recorded 19 kills and 19 digs. Jennifer Catano (.444 hitting percentage) and Brigid Maruszak (.737) each added 14 kills, while Jess Anne Fernandes (.423) contributed 13 kills. Kendra Morgan supplied the Lady Buffs with 47 assists and 15 kills.

Mariner led the Zias with 19 kills. Rowley produced 13 kills, while Heyko connected for 10 kills and 16 digs. Margie Goble (Fr., Setter, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) earned 42 assists and 14 digs for the Zias.

Eastern New Mexico does not play again until Friday, Nov. 3, when the Zias host Texas A&M-Kingsville in an LSC South contest at Greyhound Arena. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. (MDT). ENMU hosts Tarleton State University on Saturday, Nov. 4, starting at 2:00 p.m. (MDT). The Zias conclude the regular season at home on Monday, Nov. 6, against Wayland Baptist University at 7:00 p.m. (MDT).