Athletic Report
September 18, 2001

ENMU DEFEATS LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN, 3-1
Mariner Leads Zias with 21 Kills
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team, which began the season 0-7, evened its record at 7-7 with a 30-28, 20-30, 32-30, 30-25, victory over visiting Lubbock Christian University, Sept. 18 at Greyhound Arena.While ENMU won its seventh consecutive match, Lubbock Christian, ranked #15 in the NAIA, fell to 8-5 on the season.

Junior middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) led the Zias with 21 kills and 9 digs. She also recorded 2 service aces and 4 block assists. Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) added 15 kills and 15 digs, while Raina Pilon (Jr., MB, Eagan, MN/ Pasco-Hernando C.C.) and Shannyn De Arman (Jr., OH/MB, Chandler, AZ/Glendale C.C.) each earned 11 kills.

De Arman hit .417 for the match. Pilon registered 17 digs and 5 total blocks. Margie Goble (So., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) supplied 53 assists and 17 digs for the Zias. Courtney Wallenborn (Jr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood C.C.) achieved 9 kills and 16 digs. The Zias finished the match with a .266 hitting percentage. Lubbock Christian’s top player was Stacy Simpson, who earned 20 kills, 16 digs, and 4 block assists.

The Lady Chaps also received 17 kills from Julie Williams and 13 kills from Beth Ratliff. Setter Mandy Moffitt was credited with 43 assists. The Lady Chaps earned an impressive .352 hitting percentage in the second game, as LCU evened the match at one game apiece. LCU, however, hit just .201 overall. In the first game, Lubbock Christian took an early 5-2 lead, then neither team led by more than two points the rest of the way.

Rowley ended the game with a kill, as ENMU won, 30-28. LCU rallied from modest deficits of 7-4 and 15-14 to take the second game, 30-20. The Lady Chaps broke a 16-16 tie with four points in a row, then later scored four straight for a 29-19 advantage.

A blocking error gave ENMU the next point, then LCU countered with a kill to win the game. Eastern led by three points on several occasions in the third game, but could not pull away from the Lady Chaps.

The game was eventually tied 24-24, then LCU scored 5 of the next 7 points for a 29-26 lead. LCU appeared to close out the game by winning the next rally, but the Lady Chaps forfeited the point because an improper player served.

ENMU received the penalty point to cut its deficit to two, then scored two more points for a 29-29 tie. The Zias moved in front, then LCU tied the game, 30-30. Eastern clinched the win by scoring back-to-back points on a kill by Mariner and an attacking error by LCU.

The Zias never trailed during the fourth game, but led just 11-9 at one point. ENMU scored the next 4 points for a 15-9 advantage, then built a 26-15 lead. Lubbock Christian pulled back within 28-24, but the Zias held off the Lady Chaps for a 30-25 triumph.

Eastern will continue its 5-match homestand on Friday, Sept. 21, against Tarleton State at 7:00 p.m. MST. The homestand will conclude against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 2:00 p.m. (MST). The two matches will begin Lone Star Conference South Division play for the Zias, who are currently 3-0 during the homestand.