ENMU Sweeps Javelinas, 30-21, 30-22, 30-24
Mariner Leads Zias with 12 Kills, .545 Hitting Percentage

PORTALES, NM – Eastern New Mexico University achieved a .365 hitting percentage and recorded 20 block assists, as the Zias defeated visiting Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 3-0, in a Lone Star Conference South Division match, Friday, Oct. 11 at Greyhound Arena. The Zias swept past the Javelinas, 30-21, 30-22, 30-24, to improve to 17-6 overall, 3-2 in the LSC South. Texas A&M-Kingsville dropped to 10-12 on the season, including 2-4 in the LSC South.

Christabell Mariner (Sr., MB, Pago, Pago, American Samoa/Tafuna HS) spearheaded ENMU’s attack. She pounded out 12 kills with no hitting errors on her way to a .545 hitting percentage during the match. She also provided eight digs, three block assists and two service aces.

Mariner was joined in double-digit kills by April Brockmann (Sr., OH/MB, Tempe, AZ/Chandler-Gilbert CC), who recorded 11 kills (.400 hitting percentage) to go with 12 digs and three block assists. Anya Mack (Jr., OH/RS, Cope, CO/Sheridan JC) added nine kills, 10 digs and two service aces.

The Zias also received seven kills and 15 digs from Courtney Wallenborn (Sr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood CC), plus seven kills, nine digs, six block assists and three aces from Raina Pilon (Sr., MB, Eagan, MN/Pasco-Hernando CC).

Setter Margie Goble (Jr., San Antonio, TX/Holmes HS) completed a solid overall match for the Zias by earning 44 assists, six kills and five block assists. She recorded a .417 hitting percentage. Overall, the Zias hit .484 in Game #1, .302 in Game #2 and .341 in Game #3.
ENMU lost at Texas A&M-Kingsville in five games earlier this season. The Javelinas claimed a 30-28, 30-23, 26-30, 22-30, 15-11 victory over the Zias on Sept. 14.

In Friday’s rematch at ENMU, the Javelinas were led by Trina Ervin with 14 kills and a .444 hitting percentage. Kathy Stephenson added 11 kills and a team-high 12 digs. Melanie Biggerstaff contributed nine kills, Sara Streets earned 24 assists and Stephanie Briscoe recorded six kills and four block assists. The Javelinas also received 15 assists from Natalie Walther.

ENMU surged out to a 6-1 lead in the first game. Kingsville eventually closed the gap to 13-11 on a service ace, but the Javelinas never tied the score. A block by Pilon and Goble gave the Zias a 22-16 edge and completed an 8-4 run by ENMU. Eastern led 26-17 before TAMUK scored again. Mack registered five of her nine kills in the opening game, while Mariner earned four kills in the first game.

In the second game, ENMU took a 4-1 lead. TAMU-Kingsville cut Eastern’s lead to a single point at 5-4, 6-5 and 9-8, before tying the game, 9-9. The Zias scored the next two points on attacking errors by TAMUK, but still led by just two points later in the game at 15-13.

A kill by Brockmann, a hit that went long by the Javelinas, and kills by Mack and Pilon, extended the ENMU lead to 19-13. TAMU-Kingsville recorded the next two points, but ENMU countered with two points of its own, and the Javelinas never got closer than five points the rest of the game.

The Zias trailed 2-1 early in the third game, but never fell behind again. ENMU held a slim 4-3 lead before going on a 8-1 run for a 12-4 lead. Pilon contributed two kills and an ace during the run. Kingsville was unable to mount a solid comeback, as the Zias went on to close out the match with a 30-24 win.

ENMU will remain at home on Saturday, Oct. 12, for an LSC South match against Tarleton State University. Match time at Greyhound Arena is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MST). The Zias will travel to Canyon, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to take on LSC South leader West Texas A&M University at 6 p.m. (MST).