Athletic Report
October 19, 2001

ZIA VOLLEYBALL TAKES ON #1 TEAM IN NATION
PORTALES, NM — On Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m., Zia volleyball will take on the #1 nationally ranked The West Texas A&M Lady Buffaloes in a special promotion titled "We Love New York Night." All proceeds from ticket sales, plus donations during the match, will be given to the American Red Cross to help with disaster relief following the Sept. 11 attack in New York.

In their previous match-up this season, the Zias gave the Lady Buffs a fierce battle at the WTAMU Fieldhouse in Canyon, Texas on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Although the Lady Buffs won 3-0, the Zias were highly competitive in all three games, before falling, 30-26, 30-24, 30-24.

The match was an offensive battle, as both teams excelled in their attacking. West Texas A&M earned 59 kills and a .374 hitting percentage. Eastern New Mexico amassed 52 kills with a .361 hitting percentage.

The Zias were paced by Christabell Mariner (Sr., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.), who recorded 17 kills and a .481 hitting percentage. Raina Pilon (Jr., MB, Eagan, MN/Paso-Hernando C.C.) provided 10 kills with a .455 hitting percentage. Margie Goble (So., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) achieved 46 assists.

The ENMU/West Texas rivalry always brings the WT fans out in droves to Greyhound Arena and Greyhound Stadium. The rivalry is epitomized by the annual football competition for the Wagon Wheel Trophy, a symbol of victory that the winning school displays till the next year's battle. Each year, the football teams go head-to-head to take the coveted trophy home.

Volleyball is no exception, with the rivalry continuing strongly. Last year, WT brought nearly 100 fans and their cheerleaders to the volleyball game to support their volleyball team. "As a former Zia Volleyball player, I'd really like to see our fans step up to the challenge and come out to the game, to make the Lady Buffs know that they're in Zia country," Event Manager Jennifer Goble Poyer said. "Teams don't like coming to play at Greyhound Arena, and a lot of that has to do with our great fans."

To add to the excitement, the Department of Athletics is giving away free "We Love NY" shirts to 25 lucky fans.

Also, the Green Monster is a green loveseat where fans can win a chance to sit during home sporting events. Anyone wearing ENMU colors or letters can sign up to be chosen to sit on the Green Monster and eat free pizza during the match. At the end of basketball season, one fan who sat on the Green Monster will be chosen to take the loveseat home.

There will be a Karaoke contest between the second and third games where one lucky contestant will walk away with $25 cash, courtesy of ENMU Athletics. Three contestants will have a chance to sing for a minute and a half to impress the crowd and prove they should win the cash. At the end of the contest, crowd approval will determine the winner. Songs include the Frank Sinatra Classic "New York, New York" and other contemporary hits of the 1980s and 1990s.

As an added bonus, Zia Volleyball fans who bring three or more cans of food will receive admission to the game at one-half off of the regular ticket price. Each three cans of food will be applied to the purchase of one ticket. All food donations will be given to the Consigning Women's Food Bank.