Christabell Mariner Named LSC South Hitter-of-the-Week for Second Time in 2002

PORTALES, NM – Senior middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna High School) of Eastern New Mexico University has been named Lone Star Conference South Division Hitter-of-the-Week for her efforts during the week of Oct. 7-13, 2002. Mariner helped the Zias earn a 2-1 record during the week, including 2-0 in the LSC South. Earlier this season, she was named LSC South Hitter-of-the-Week for matches played Sept. 3-8.

Last week, Mariner recorded 43 kills, a .365 hitting percentage, 5 service aces, 18 digs and 13 blocks, as the Zias fell to Lubbock Christian University and defeated LSC South opponents Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Tarleton State University. The wins over Kingsville and TSU, moved the Zias into second place in the LSC South (4-2). Eastern improved to 18-6 overall.

Mariner started all three matches and played in all 10 games during the week. LCU, ranked #5 in the NAIA, defeated the Zias, 30-27, 15-30, 30-21, 30-21. Eastern swept TAMUK, 30-21, 30-22, 30-24, and won in three games against TSU, 30-15, 30-20, 30-19. The Zias previously lost road matches at Tarleton State (Sept. 12) and TAMU-Kingsville (Sept. 14), both by 3-2 scores.

For the season, Mariner leads the Zias with 346 kills (3.7 avg.) and a .270 hitting percentage. She has registered 44 service aces, 254 digs (2.7 avg.) and 102 total blocks (1.1 avg.). Her 44 aces are tied for eighth best in ENMU single season history. During her career, she has accumulated 1,563 kills to rank second all-time at Eastern, plus 1,000 digs, good for seventh all-time.

The Zias play at West Texas A&M University on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. (MST). Eastern will play at home on Friday, Oct. 18, against the ENMU Alumni. The Alumni and the ENMU “B” Team will take to the court at 5:30 p.m. (MST), followed by the Alumni and the ENMU varsity at about 7 p.m. (MST). ENMU will host Lubbock Christian on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. (MST).