Athletic Report
September 8, 2001

ZIAS SWEEP WESTERN NEW MEXICO
Mariner Leads ENMU with 17 Kills and 13 Digs
PORTALES, NM — Christabell Mariner (Jr., MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna H.S.) provided 17 kills and 13 digs, and Eastern New Mexico University came from behind in all three games, as the Zias defeated visiting Western New Mexico University, 31-29, 30-25, 30-20, Sept. 8 at Greyhound Arena.

The Zias, who lost to WNMU earlier in the season, won its 6th match in a row to improve to 6-7 on the season. The Mustangs fell to 5-6.

ENMU trailed 11-4 in the first game, 5-0 in the second game and 6-1 in the third game. The Zias rallied each time, ultimately winning the match in just three games. Mariner was a key part of the team’s success, as she recorded a .313 hitting percentage. She also achieved 4 block assists and 2 service aces.

Eastern lost its season opener to Western New Mexico, 30-25, 30-26, 30-27, at the West Texas A&M Lady Buff Classic on Aug. 24. The Zias played without Mariner, who missed the match with an achilles injury. In the rematch at Greyhound Arena, the Zias battled back to tie the first game at 19-19. The Zias moved in front for the first time at 21-20, when WNMU committed an attacking error.

Western ran off five straight points for a 25-21 advantage, but the Zias answered with five points in a row, three on kills by Mariner. The score tied 29-29, before ENMU closed out the game with points on a WNMU attacking error plus a block by Mariner and Jessica Rowley (Sr., OH, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.).

After leading 5-0 in the second game, the Mustangs gave up eight of the next nine points to ENMU and trailed 8-6. Later, the Zias led 12-8, but extended the margin with 5 straight points. Western did get with five points, at 24-19, on a serving ace, and at 25-20, following a kill, but the Zias held on to win the game, 30-25.

The Zias overcame their early deficit in the third game by outscoring 12-3 to take a 13-9 advantage. Eastern also led 17-11 after a combo block from Mariner and Rowley. The Zias played several players of the bench while coasting to the 30-20 win. Joining Mariner as key contributors were Rowley, with 9 kills, 8 digs and 4 block assists, Margie Goble (So., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes H.S.), with 26 assists and 18 digs, and Courtney Wallenborn (Jr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood C.C.), with 6 kills, 11 digs and 3 block assists.

Nikki Tilton (Sr., S, Milwaukee, OR/Alabama A&M) added 10 and Shannyn De Arman (Jr., MB/OH, Chandler, AZ/Glendale C.C.) produced 3 kills, 4 digs and 2 block assists. The Zias hit just .142 for the match, but registered 71 digs and 11.5 total blocks (2 BS, 19 BA).

ENMU limited WNMU to a .121 hitting percentage. The Mustangs managed only 3 total blocks (0 BS, 6 BA) and made just 57 digs. Hilary Scott earned 10 kills, 5 digs and a .409 hitting percentage for Western New Mexico. Dana Dietrich supplied the Mustangs with 11 digs and Erin Denton recorded 8 digs. Nohealiani Burgess provided 27 assists and earned 7 digs.

Eastern is idle until next Saturday (Sept. 15), when the Zias will host the ENMU Alumni at Greyhound Arena at 2:00 p.m. The Zias are also at home on Tuesday, Sept. 18, against Lubbock Christian University at 7:00 p.m.