Athletic Report
October 15, 2001

ZIAS EDGE IN-STATE RIVAL WNMU, 3-2
Zias win Decisive 5th Game, 16-14
SILVER CITY, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University Zias defeated in-state rival Western New Mexico University, 3-2, in a match featuring five close games, Monday, Oct. 15 in Silver City, N.M. The Zias edged the Lady Mustangs, 31-29, 29-31, 30-26, 30-32, 16-14, to improve to 12-11 on the season.

WNMU fell to 10-11 overall. With the victory, Eastern clinched the season series against Western, 2-1. The Zias lost, 0-3, in the season-opener at the West Texas A&M Lady Buff Classic, but swept the Lady Mustangs, 3-0, in Portales, N.M., on Sept. 8.

Christabell Mariner (Jr., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.), who led the Zias with 21 kills and 16 digs in Monday’s victory, did not play in the season-opener due to an achilles injury. She recorded 17 kills and 13 digs in the win Sept. 8.

ENMU started the season 0-7, but has gone 12-4 in its last 16 matches. Mariner led four Eastern players with double-digit kills at WNMU, as the Zias earned a .202 team hitting percentage. Raina Pilon (Jr., MB, Eagan, MN/Pasco-Hernando C.C.) registered 18 kills and 19 digs.

Courtney Wallenborn (Jr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood C.C.) added 12 kills and 9 digs. Mariner, Pilon and Wallenborn each recorded 7 total blocks. ENMU also received 11 kills and a match-high 23 digs from Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.).

Shannyn De Arman (Jr., MB/OH, Chandler, AZ/Glendale C.C.) led all Zias with a .296 hitting percentage. She had 9 kills and 1 error on 27 total attacks. She also earned 4 digs and 7 total blocks.

Sophomore setter Margie Goble (San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) contributed 57 assists, 19 digs, 4 blocks and 4 kills. Western New Mexico’s top player was Kimberly Tano, who recorded 24 kills and 12 digs. Tamara Gooliffe provided 16 kills, and Erin Thornton earned a team-high 20 digs. Missy Zankich achieved a .333 hitting percentage, while earning 10 kills and 11 digs for the Lady Mustangs.

The 5th game was played to 15 points with a minimum 2-point lead required for the victory. ENMU hit just .107 in the decisive game (6 K, 3 E, 28 ATT), but held WNMU to a .000 hitting percentage (7 K, 7 E, 33 ATT). The Zias rallied from 10-5 and 14-11 deficits, and scored the final 5 points of the game for a 16-14 victory.

Eastern returns home immediately to play Wayland Baptist University on Tuesday Oct. 16. Match time at Greyhound Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. (MST). ENMU is 5-0 at home this year.