Athletic Report
October 4, 2001

ACU ENDS ENMU’S WINNING STREAK
Wildcats Defeat Zias in Four Games
ABILENE, TX — Abilene Christian University won the first two games, then held off an Eastern New Mexico University rally, as the Wildcats ended the Zias’ nine-match winning streak with a 30-18, 30-25, 23-30, 30-26 victory at Moody Coliseum in Abilene, Texas. The Lone Star Conference win improved the Wildcats to 10-6 on the season, including 3-0 in the LSC South. ENMU fell to 9-8 overall and 2-1 in the LSC South.

ACU was led by Misti Germany, who recorded a match-high 24 kills. Jennifer Purvis added 15 kills, and Haylee Hartline contributed 10 kills. Randi Kinzer registered 53 assists and 14 digs for the Wildcats, while Nora Oblesby earned 8 kills, 14 digs and 5 assists. ACU achieved a .213 team hitting percentage, while limiting Eastern to a .081 hitting percentage.

The first game was tied 7-7 before the Wildcats used a 7-2 run to take a 14-9 lead. Eastern pulled within 17-13, but ACU countered with a 5-2 run, and went on to win the game, 30-18. ENMU led 7-3 at the start of Game #2, and eventually owned an 18-15 edge. The Wildcats rallied with five consecutive points to take the lead. ACU was ahead 26-23, then recorded three straight kills to take command. Eastern scored twice before ACU won the game, 30-25.

Eastern’s best game of the match was Game #3. The Zias and the Wildcats fought a close battle for most of the game, but Eastern led 21-16 and 25-19, before winning the game, 30-23. The Wildcats surged out to a 9-4 lead in the fourth game.

Eastern responded with a 6-1 run, highlighted by two kills from Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) and a service ace by Margie Goble (So., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.), to tie the game, 10-10. The score was also tied 12-12, but ACU put together a 9-3 run to build a 21-15 edge. Eastern battled back within three points, 26-23, but the Wildcats completed the match with a 30-26 win.

Junior middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) topped Eastern’s offense with 21 kills. She also earned 6 digs and recorded 8 total blocks. Rowley supplied the Zias with 15 digs and 6 block assists, while Courtney Wallenborn (Jr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood C.C.) provided 13 digs. Goble was credited with 42 assists.

The Zias return to action at the LSC Crossover Tournament, hosted by Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas, Oct. 5-6. ENMU will take on Southeastern Oklahoma and Cameron at 1:00 p.m. (MST) and 7:00 p.m. (MST), respectively on Friday, Oct. 5. The Zias will play Central Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2:00 p.m. (MST).