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ENMU arrow Athletics arrow News arrow Press Releases arrow 2002 Archive arrow 9/17 ENMU Defeats Highlands in Five Games
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ENMU Defeats Highlands in Five Games
Christabell Mariner Leads Zias with 22 Kills

LAS VEGAS, NM – Senior middle blocker Christabell Mariner (Pago, Pago, American Samoa/Tafuna HS) returned to her original position with style, pounding out 22 kills and a .486 hitting percentage, as Eastern New Mexico University edged New Mexico Highlands University, 3-2, Sept. 17 at NMHU. The Zias won the match, 27-30. 30-27, 30-22, 27-30, 15-11, to improve to 8-4 on the season. Highlands fell to 1-7 overall.

Mariner moved to outside hitter to start the season, but the Zias were struggling to achieve consistency on offense. Head Coach Mike Maguire returned her to the position she has played for most of her ENMU career, and she responded with a solid performance. Mariner’s 22 kills led all players. She also provided 6 digs, 5 block solos (6 total blocks) and 2 service aces.

The Zias hit .353 as a team in the decisive fifth game, connecting for 10 kills and 4 errors on 17 total attacks. NMHU, however, struggled in Game #5, recording just 4 kills and committing 4 attacking errors for a .000 hitting percentage.

Three Zias joined Mariner in double figures for kills. Anya Mack (Jr., OH/RS, Cope, CO/Sheridan JC) supplied 12 kills, April Brockmann (Sr., OH/MB, Tempe, AZ/Chandler-Gilbert CC) earned 11 kills and Raina Pilon (Sr., MB, Eagan, MN/Pasco-Hernando CC) added 10 kills. Pilon and setter Margie Goble (Jr., San Antonio, TX/Holmes HS) tied for the team lead with 9 digs. Courtney Wallenborn (Sr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood CC) contributed 8 digs, and Goble added 44 assists.

For the Cowgirls, Kacy Cochran led the way with 18 kills and a .433 hitting percentage. She also produced 10 digs and 3 service aces. Becky Gonzales chipped in 15 kills and 3 aces, while Nicole Abeyta finished with 10 kills. Lauren Noriega led NMHU with 17 digs.
Both teams hit the ball well during mots of the match. Highlands ended the night with a .292 hitting percentage. Eastern finished the match with a .280 hitting percentage. ENMU achieved a slim edge in kills, as the Zias registered 70, compared to 68 kills for the Cowgirls.

ENMU, which has played just four of its first 12 matches at home, begins a three-match homestand on Friday, Sept. 20 against Abilene Christian University. The Lone Star Conference South Division match is slated for 7 p.m. (MST). The Zias will play another LSC South match on Saturday, Sept. 21, when they face Angelo State University at 11 a.m. (MST). The homestand will conclude on Tuesday, Sept. 24, with the Zias taking on Wayland Baptist University at 7 p.m. (MST).

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