Athletic Report
September 2, 2001

ZIAS DEFEAT FORT LEWIS AND ADAMS STATE FOR FIRST VICTORIES OF THE SEASON
DURANGO, CO — The Eastern New Mexico Zias put two matches in the victory column on the second day of the Fort Lewis College Skyhawk Invitational, defeating host Fort Lewis, 3-0, and slipping past Adams State College, 3-1. The Zias swept Fort Lewis, 34-32, 30-21, 30-23. ENMU downed Adams State, 37-39, 30-22, 30-23, 30-25.

The victories were the first of the season for ENMU, which improved to 2-7 overall. Fort Lewis fell to 1-7 after playing the Zias, while Adams State fell to 1-3.

The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs won the tournament with a 4-0 record. UCCS improved to 8-0 on the season. ENMU was 2-2 in the Skyhawk Invitational. In Eastern’s triumph over Fort Lewis, the Zias were led by Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) and Christabell Mariner (Jr., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.). Rowley recorded 13 kills, a .313 hitting percentage, 8 digs and 3 block assists. Mariner provided 12 kills, 14 digs and 4 total blocks.

Raina Pilon (Jr., MB, Eagan, MN/Pasco-Hernando C.C.) added 9 kills, 6 digs and 4 blocks. Margie Goble (So., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) supplied the Zias with 40 assists and 10 digs. ENMU achieved 65 digs to just 46 digs for the Skyhawks.

Fort Lewis was led by Moreen Baylis, with 7 kills and 8 digs. Megan Snider earned 9 digs, and Aisling Pomeroy was credited with 24 assists and 8 digs. The Skyhawks totaled just 28 kills, committed 32 attacking errors, and finished the match with a -.028 hitting percentage.

The win over Adams State began with the highest scoring game Eastern has played since the 30-point, rally scoring format went into effect at the start of the current season. Adams State won the game, 39-37, but fell to the Zias each of the three succeeding games.

Rowley and Mariner each recorded 18 kills against the Grizzlies. Rowley also produced 18 digs to go with a .419 hitting percentage. Mariner hit .345, and supplied 13 digs, 9 total blocks and 3 service aces. Goble registered a season-high 65 assists and earned 10 digs. Pilon added 12 kills and 15 digs, while middle blocker Shannyn De Arman (Jr., Chandler, AZ/Glendale C.C.) pounded out 10 kills. The Zias achieved a .269 team hitting percentage, and held Adams State to a .160 hitting percentage.

The Grizzlies received a match-high 22 kills from Tanesha Steadham, who earned a .356 hitting percentage and provided 7 digs. Trisha Kofe tacked on 13 kills, hit .423, and recorded 10 digs. Elena Goldina added 10 kills, 7 digs and 3 service aces.

As in the win against Fort Lewis, ENMU earned more digs than its opponent. The Zias dug up 76 attacks during the 4-game match, while Adams State managed just 41 digs.

Eastern New Mexico will take on Adams State again on Monday (Sept. 3) at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. Match time is set for 11:00 a.m. (MST). The Zias also will play NMHU on Monday, starting at 4:00 p.m. (MST).