Athletic Report
August 24, 2001

ZIAS FALL TO WESTERN NEW MEXICO AND #3-RANKED AUGUSTANTA
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team opened the 2001 season on Friday, Aug. 24, at the West Texas A&M Lady Buff Classic. ENMU lost both of its matches, falling to Western New Mexico University in a tight match, 30-25, 30-26, 30-27, and losing to #3-ranked Augustana College (S.D.) in three games, 30-22, 30-11, 30-21.

ENMU took on WNMU without returning First Team All-LSC South player Christabell Mariner (Jr., OH, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.), who is recovering from an ankle injury. Mariner played against Augustana, but is doubtful for Eastern’s final two games of the tournament on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Western New Mexico edged the Zias by achieving a .206 hitting percentage for the match, while limiting ENMU to a .168 hitting percentage. Erin Denton led the Lady Mustangs with 15 kills and 9 digs. Hilary Scott added 11 kills and 3 block assists. Nohealiani Burgess contributed 35 assists and 10 digs for WNMU.

Against the Lady Mustangs, the Zias received 10 kills and a .333 hitting percentage from junior college transfer Courtney Wallenborn (Jr., RS, Camas, WA/Mount Hood C.C.). Margie Goble (So., S/OH, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.), who normally plays setter, replaced Mariner at outside hitter, and registered 11 kills and a .214 hitting percentage. She also earned 6 digs and 4 total blocks. Nikki Tilton (Sr., S, Milwaukee, WI/Alabama A&M) recorded 30 assists and 8 digs in her first match at ENMU. Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) earned 9 kills, 5 digs and 2 block assists.

With Mariner in the lineup, Eastern gave Augustana a tough battle for most of the first game. The teams exchanged leads during the early going, and Augustana led by just a couple of points and both teams reach the high teens in scoring. However, the Vikings gradually pulled away late in the game, for a 30-22 win.

The Vikings easily won the second game, 30-11, and closed out the match with a 30-21 triumph in the third game. Augustana was led by Jackie Hingst with 14 kills and 7 digs. Teresa Resch supplied 10 kills and 4 block assists, while Kari Peterson provided 44 assists and 7 digs.The Vikings registered 7 service aces, while holding ENMU without a service ace.

Mariner pounded out 9 of Eastern’s 26 kills in the match. She also recorded 7 digs and 2 total blocks. Rowley added 5 kills and 5 digs. Goble contributed 24 assists and 6 digs. The Zias managed just a 0.34 hitting percentage and committed 7 service errors and 5 reception errors.

The Zias are scheduled to take on St. Edwards University (Texas) at 9:00 a.m. (MST) on Saturday (Aug. 25). ENMU will close out the Lady Buff Classic against #25-ranked Western State College (Colo.) at 5:00 p.m. (MST).

The Zias travel to the Fort Lewis College Skyhawk Invitational, Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, before returning to Portales for their home opener against Midwestern State University on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7:00 p.m. (MST).

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