Athletic Report
September 16, 2000

ZIAS DEFEAT NORTH DAKOTA, LOSE TO 14TH-RANKED NORTH DAKOTA STATE
FARGO, ND — Eastern New Mexico University swept the University of North Dakota, 3-0, but fell to 14th-ranked North Dakota State University, 0-3, on the final day of the North Dakota State University Pizza Hut Classic, Sept. 16 in Fargo, N.D. The Zias defeated North Dakota, 15-9, 15-10, 15-13. NDSU downed ENMU, 15-7, 15-5, 17-15.

With the split, ENMU took second place in the tournament with a 3-1 record. West Texas A&M won the event with a 4-0 mark. North Dakota State, which played just three games during the tournament, took third place with a 2-1 record.

Christabell Mariner (So., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) led the Zias against North Dakota with 16 kills, a .448 hitting percentage and 10 digs. Tanya Heyko (Sr., OH, Salem, OR/Chemeketa C.C.) added 12 kills and 16 digs, while Jessica Rowley (Jr., OH, Dallas, OR/ Clackamas C.C.) supplied 11 kills and a .435 hitting percentage. Margie Goble (Fr., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) dished out 36 assists. The Zias hit .291 as a team.

Laura Birk was UND’s top player during the match. She recorded 15 kills, a .344 hitting percentage and 5 block assists. Josie Fink and Kelly Johnson each earned 10 kills, and Holly Welter provided 39 assists. The Zias limited UND to a .169 team hitting percentage. The Fighting Sioux dropped to 8-6 with the loss.

In the match against NDSU, the Bison built a quick 2-0 lead in games, by winning the first game, 15-7, and taking the second game, 15-5. ENMU gave the Bison a tough battle in the third game, but NDSU prevailed, 17-15, to win the match.

Mariner provided 18 kills and 12 digs against NDSU. Other Zias with double-digit kills were Heyko, with 13 kills, and Rowley, with 11 kills. Heyko also added 13 digs. Goble was credited with 48 assists to go with 4 kills and 15 digs.

NDSU was led by Heather Evans, with 21 kills, 19 digs, and a .432 hitting percentage. Rachel Schmieg achieved 18 kills and 13 digs, while Colleen Tuckner added 10 kills and 8 digs. The Bison improved to 10-6 on the season.

ENMU is now 11-4 on the season. The Zias play again on Tuesday, Oct. 19, when they host Lubbock Christian University. The match is set to start at 7:00 p.m. (MST).