Athletic Report
September 22, 2001

ZIAS DEFEAT TAMU-KINGSVILLE IN THREE GAMES
ENMU Improves to 2-0 in the LSC South
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team defeated Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 30-28, 30-27, 30-27, on Sept. 22 at Greyhound Arena. With the victory, ENMU extended its winning streak to 9 matches, while improving to 9-7 overall and 2-0 in the Lone Star Conference South Division.

TAMU-Kingsville fell to 2-13 overall, 0-4 in the LSC South. Eastern and TAMU-Kingsville stayed close on the scoreboard for most of the first game. The Zias led 19-18, then scored 6 of the next 8 points for a 25-20 advantage, but TAMU-Kingsville answered with five consecutive points to tie the game.

Courtney Wallenborn (Jr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood C.C.) broke the tie with a kill, giving Eastern a 26-25 lead. ENMU was in front 28-25 before TAMUK rallied with three straight points. The Zias moved back in front on a ball handling error by the Javelinas, then won the game when Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) and Raina Pilon (Jr., MB, Eagan, MN/ Pasco-Hernando C.C.) blocked a TAMUK attack.

The Zias trailed 12-6 and 16-8 in the second game, but scored 8 points in a row to force a 16-16 tie. Margie Goble (So., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.) was the server for 6 of the 8 points, including one service ace. The Javelinas moved ahead, 17-16, and eventually led 22-19.

Eastern countered with four points for a 23-22 advantage. Two of the points came on block assists by Pilon and Goble. Kingsville tied the game at 23-23, but ENMU received two kills from Rowley and one from Christabell Mariner (Jr., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) for a 26-23 lead.

The Zias won the game, 30-27. The third game was tied three times before ENMU took a 7-4 lead. The Javelinas got within one point at 7-6, but later trailed the Zias, 14-9. TAMUK went on a 5-1 run to cut the deficit to 15-14.

The teams were also separated by one point at 16-15 and 17-16. The Zias increased their margin to 23-17, but were in front just 27-26 and 28-27 late in the game.

Wallenborn registered a kill for a 29-27 ENMU lead, and Pilon supplied a kill of her own, as the Zias ended the match. Wallenborn and Rowley topped the ENMU offense with 13 kills apiece. Pilon and Mariner added 8 kills each, and Jamie Wise (Fr., OH, Abilene, TX/Abilene H.S.) recorded 7 kills. Rowley also contributed 8 digs and 3 blocks, while Pilon garnered 10 digs and 6 blocks.Goble added 45 assists to go with 12 digs and 3 blocks.

The Zias earned a .203 team hitting percentage against the Javelinas. TAMU-Kingsville hit just .132 for the match. Individual leaders for the Javelinas were Kellie O’Leary, with 9 kills and 7 digs, and Stephanie Briscoe, with 7 kills, 2 aces, 3 digs and 5 blocks. Nikki Dixon connected for 6 kills, and also recorded 10 digs.The match concluded a 5-match homestand for ENMU.

The Zias, who went 5-0 during the homestand, will start a 7-match road trip on Friday, Sept. 28 with a 6:00 p.m. (MST) match at Abilene Christian. The Zias do not play at home again until Oct. 16 against Wayland Baptist University at 7:00 p.m. (MST).