Athletic Report
November 1, 2001

CHRISTABELL MARINER NAMED LSC SOUTH HITTER-OF-THE-WEEK FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Jr., Pago Pago, American Samoa/Tafuna High School) has been named Lone Star Conference South Division Hitter-of-the-Week for the second time this season.

She was chosen for the most recent award as a result of her efforts between Oct. 22 and Oct. 28, as ENMU went 2-1, including three-game sweeps of Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton State. Mariner recorded 55 kills during the week, and averaged 5.0 kills per game. She achieved a .369 hitting percentage, and averaged 2.0 digs and 1.7 blocks per game.

For the season, Mariner leads the Zias with 473 kills and a .324 hitting percentage. She also leads the team with 24 aces and 124 blocks. She ranks second on the squad with 285 digs. ENMU opened the week with a thrilling 5-game match against arch rival West Texas A&M.

The Lady Buffs entered the match ranked #1 in NCAA Division II with a 22-2 overall record. The Zias entertained the 1,275 fans in attendance by taking the Lady Buffs to the limit before WTAMU won the match, 30-22, 22-30, 29-31, 30-26, 15-12. Mariner led all players with 27 kills, and also recorded 13 digs and 8 total blocks.

The Zias finished the week by sweeping Lone Star Conference matches at TAMU-Kingsville on Oct. 25 and Tarleton State on Oct. 27. Eastern defeated TAMUK, 30-14, 30-21, 30-26, and downed TSU, 30-23, 30-28, 30-27.

Mariner recorded 17 kills and 4 blocks against the Javelinas, then produced 11 kills, 9 digs and 7 blocks against the TexAnns. ENMU improved to 17-13 on the season and to 5-3 in the LSC South.

The Zias travel to Plainview, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 30 to play Wayland Baptist University in a non-conference match at 6:00 p.m. (MST). The Zias, who are battling Abilene Christian University and Angelo State University for second and third place in the LSC South, will host ASU on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. (MST) and ACU on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 11:00 a.m. (MST). The top three teams in each division qualify for the LSC Tournament.