Athletic Report
September 15, 2000

ZIAS 2-0 ON 1ST DAY OF NDSU TOURNAMENT
FARGO, ND — Eastern New Mexico University completed the first day of action at North Dakota State University’s Pizza Hut Classic with a 2-0 record, as the Zias defeated Bemidji State University (Minn.), 3-0, and downed the University of Winnipeg (Manitoba, Can.), 3-0. Game scores against Bemidji State were 15-10, 15-6, 16-14. The Zias defeated Winnipeg, 15-7, 15-6, 15-13, in an exhibition match. The NCAA does not count matches against teams from outside the United States, unless the colleges are members of the NCAA or the NAIA.

With the win over Bemidji State, Eastern New Mexico improved to 10-3 on the season. The Pizza Hut Classic concludes on Saturday, Sept. 16. ENMU will play the University of North Dakota at 2:00 p.m. (MST) and will take on host North Dakota State at 6:00 p.m. (MST).

NDSU is ranked #14 in NCAA Division II. ENMU and LSC opponent West Texas A&M are both 2-0 in the six-team tournament. The remaining four teams are 0-1.

Against Bemidji State, ENMU received 18 kills and 9 digs from senior outside hitter Tanya Heyko (Salem, OR/Chemeketa C.C.). Heyko earned a .306 hitting percentage. Christabell Mariner (So., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) added 17 kills, 9 digs, 4 total blocks and a .400 hitting percentage. Freshman setter Margie Goble (San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) contributed 33 assists and 12 digs, while junior outside hitter Jessica Rowley (Dallas, OR/ Clackamas C.C.) provided 10 kills and 9 digs to go with a .308 hitting percentage.

Overall, the Zias achieved a .254 hitting percentage. ENMU also accumulated 55 digs. Meanwhile, Bemidji State managed just a .112 hitting percentage. The Beavers were led by Angie Nelson and Beth Virnig-Fischer with 10 kills apiece.

The Zias easily swept past Winnipeg, allowing Head Coach Mike Maguire to play the ENMU bench. Annette Luafalemana-Tanielu (Sr., OH/S, Kaunakakai, HI/Eastern Arizona), normally a back-row standout, played setter throughout the match and earned 23 assists. Heyko topped the squad with 9 kills and 7 digs. Mariner added 5 kills and 7 digs.

Lee-Anne Toews was Winnipeg’s to player, with 9 kills, 4 digs and 3 block assists. UW recorded more attacking errors (28) than kills (23), and finished with a -.047 hitting percentage. Winnipeg also committed 14 serving errors.

Following this weekend’s tournament, the Zias return to Greyhound Arena to take on Lubbock Christian University on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. (MST).