Zias Open LSC Crossover Tournament with Wins over TAMU-Commerce, Midwestern State
ENMU Improves to 15-5 Overall

SAN ANGELO, TX – Eastern New Mexico University defeated Texas A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State University, both by 3-1 scores, for a successful first day at the Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament hosted by Angelo State University on Oct. 4. The Zias were victorious over TAMUC, 30-24, 30-22, 26-30, 30-27, then rallied past Midwestern State, 28-30, 30-27, 30-21, 30-17. Eastern improved to 15-5 on the season, while TAMU-Commerce fell to 11-6 and MSU dropped to 6-12.

Against TAMU-Commerce, the Zias were led by senior middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Pago Pago, American Samoa/Tafuna HS), who recorded 17 kills and a .371 hitting percentage. She also earned 10 digs, four service aces and two block assists.

April Brockmann (Sr., OH/MB, Tempe, AZ/Chandler-Gilbert CC) added 12 kills, eight digs and three block assists. Mariner and Brockmann were the only Zias with double-digit kills, but ENMU still had a balanced effort, with Courtney Wallenborn (Sr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood CC) adding nine kills and nine digs and Anya Mack (Jr., OH/RS, Cope, CO/Sheridan JC) contributing eight kills and 17 digs.

Raina Pilon (Sr., MB, Eagan, MN/Pasco-Hernando CC) provided eight kills, eight digs and eight block assists. Margie Goble (Jr., S, San Antonio, TX/Holmes HS) supplied 45 assists and eight digs.

The Lions placed three players in double figures for kills. They were Chantae Weathers and Davina Goodman with 11 kill apiece, and Amy Wallace with 10 kills. TAMUC, however, hit just .095 for the match, with 53 kills and 38 attacking errors.

Sara Wedberg and Valerie Nelms each registered 15 digs for Commerce. The Lions totaled five block solos and 12 block assists, led by Davina with one block solo and four block assists.

Pilon’s eight block assists helped the Zias earn one block solo and 20 block assists overall. The Zias also recorded 11 service aces against the Lions, but hit just .145 during the match.

ENMU remained solid on defense in the Zias’ victory over Midwestern State. The Lady Indians were limited to a .011 hitting percentage, while ENMU picked up 76 digs, seven block solos and 22 block assists (18 team total blocks).

Mariner was Eastern’s top offensive threat against MSU. She connected for 14 kills, and also provided 11 digs and eight total blocks (3 solo, 5 assists). She was just two blocks away from recording a triple-double.

The Zias also finished the match with Pilon, Brockmann and Mack in double figures for kills. Pilon registered 12 kills, while Brockmann and Mack each contributed 11 kills. Five ENMU players reached double figures in digs, with Brockmann achieving a match-high 19 digs. Mack and Pilon had 12 digs apiece, and Goble and Mariner chipped in 11 digs each. Wallenborn produced six kills, nine digs, five block assists and three service aces.

Eastern earned a .170 hitting percentage against the Lady Indians. The Zias accumulated 10 service aces, but also made nine serving errors.

MSU partially offset its poor attacking by totaling 10 serive aces and committing just four serving errors. The Lady Indians also recorded 65 digs and 10 team total blocks (4 solo, 12 assists).

Destinee Richie was the only MSU player to reach double digits in kills. She contributed 10 kills during the match, and led Midwestern with five total blocks (2 solo, 3 assists). Kate Pence and Erin Adkins supplied nine kills apiece, while Joni Martin paced the Lady Indians with 18 digs. Brandi Robberson concluded the match with seven kills and 13 digs.

ENMU had 59 kills, compared to 43 kills for MSU. Goble registered 37 assists for the Zias, while Whitney Johansen was credited with 34 assists for the Lady Indians.

The Zias will complete the LSC Crossover Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 5, with a match against Texas Woman’s University at 11:30 a.m. (MST). Following the Crossover Tournament, the Zias will return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Lubbock Christian University. Match time is set for 6 p.m. (MST).