Athletic Report
October 16, 2001

ZIAS SWEEP LADY PIONEERS
Mariner Registers 17 Kills to Lead ENMU
PORTALES, NM — Three Eastern New Mexico University players earned double-digit kills, as the Zias swept past visiting Wayland Baptist University, 30-13, 30-26, 30-24, in non- conference action, Oct. 16 at Greyhound Arena.

ENMU improved to 13-11 with the win, while WBU dropped to 10-14 on the season. Christabell Mariner (Jr., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) led the Zias on offense, with 17 kills. Courtney Wallenborn (Jr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood C.C.) and Shannyn De Arman (Jr., MB/OH, Chandler, AZ/Glendale C.C.) each provided 10 kills.

The Zias hit .330 as a team, led by De Arman at .714, Wallenborn at .471 and Mariner at .400. The Zias charged out to a 7-0 lead in the first game. Eastern also led 15-4, 20-7 and 27-11 on its way to a 30-13 win.

Mariner recorded 6 of ENMU’s 18 kills during the game. In the second game, Wayland Baptist surged out to a 5-2 advantage, but the Zias scored 10 of the next 13 points to take a 12-8 lead. WBU regained the lead at 15-14 on an ENMU kill error.

The teams were tied 17-17 when the Lady Pioneers went on a 4-0 run , including two service aces, for a 21-17 lead. ENMU eventually trailed 25-20 in the second game. The Zias responded by scoring 8 straight points for a 28-25 lead.

Mariner and setter Margie Goble (So., San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) combined on three blocks during the run. After WBU cut the deficit to 28-26, the Zias scored the final two points of the game on a kill by Nikki Tilton (Sr., S/DS, Milwaukie, OR/Alabama A&M) and a kill error by the Lady Pioneers.

The third game started with 6 consecutive points for the Zias, who were in front later, 7-1 and 12-3. Wayland Baptist gradually rallied, eventually pulling to within a single point at 18-17. The Zias led 19-18, then went on a 5-2 run for a 24-20 advantage. WBU scored the next point, but never got closer, as ENMU tallied 6 of the game’s final 9 points.

Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) added 9 kills, 7 digs and 2 block assists for the Zias, while Goble supplied 42 assists, 5 digs and 6 total blocks. Wallenborn led ENMU with 9 digs. Raina Pilon (Jr., MB, Eagan, MN/Pasco-Hernando C.C.) contributed 6 kills, 6 digs and 5 total blocks.

Mariner concluded the match with 5 digs and 5 total blocks. Jennifer Worth topped the WBU offense with 6 kills. She also led the Lady Pioneers with 6 total blocks. Lindsay Havens registered 13 assists and 6 digs for Wayland Baptist, while Kari Gibson led all players with 11 digs.

Eastern New Mexico will travel to Canyon, Texas, this weekend for the West Texas A&M Southwest Challenge. The Zias will open the tournament on Friday, Oct. 19, at 5:00 p.m. (MST), against the University of the Incarnate Word. On Saturday, Oct. 20, Eastern will take on Midwestern State University at 9:00 a.m. (MST), before facing St. Mary’s University (Texas) at 1:00 p.m. (MST).