Zias Defeat Adams State, Lose to WNMU on First Day of ENMU Torneo de Amigas

PORTALES, NM – The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team defeated Adams State in four games and lost to Western New Mexico University in five games on the first day of the ENMU Torneo de Amigas, Sept. 6 at Greyhound Arena. The Zias defeated Adams State, 30-21, 30-17, 32-34, 30-17. WNMU edged ENMU, 30-23, 23-30, 30-27, 19-30, 15-13. Eastern concluded the day with a 5-2 overall record.

In the match with Adams State, Christabell Mariner (Sr., OH/MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna HS) led the Zias with 20 kills and 17 digs. She also provided four service aces and four total blocks. Raina Pilon (Sr., MB, Eagan, MN/Pasco-Hernando CC) added 15 kills, 10 digs and two blocks.

Courtney Wallenborn (Sr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood CC) contributed 13 kills, 13 digs and two service aces, while April Brockmann (Sr., MB, Tempe, AZ/Chandler-Gilbert JC) supplied 10 kills, 5 digs and 3 blocks. Junior setter Margie Goble (San Antonio, TX/Holmes HS) provided 49 assists and 8 digs.

Adams State received 14 kills and 8 digs from Elena Goldina. Amy Cousin connected for 12 kills and Lisa Crowder added 19 digs for the Grizzlies. Monica Garcia registered 30 assists to go with 11 digs. Emily Bussey earned 9 kills and 10 digs.

The Zias achieved a .311 hitting percentage against ASC. Eastern limited the Grizzlies to a .100 hitting percentage. The Zias also held an 8.0 to 1.0 advantage in team total blocks.
ENMU rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 game deficits against Western New Mexico to force a fifth game against the Mustangs. Eastern lost the opening game 30-23, but won the second game by the same score. After WNMU took the third game, 30-27, the Zias stormed back with a 30-19 victory in the fourth game.

Western zoomed out to leads of 8-2 and 11-4 in the decisive fifth game. The Zias built a solid comeback, eventually pulling within a single point at 13-12. A service error moved WNMU into a 14-12 lead. Eastern won the next rally to cut the deficit to one point, but the Mustangs followed with a point of their own to win the match.

WNMU was led by Kimberly Tano with 18 kills, a .316 hitting percentage and 12 digs. The Mustangs also benefited from 14 kills and 9 digs by Courtney Martin, plus 10 kills and 5 total blocks by Suzanne Bruchhauser. Setter Malia Kalui provided 48 assists and 8 digs. Western upped its overall record to 7-0 on the season.

Mariner paced the ENMU attack with 22 kills. She also recorded 15 digs and 5 total blocks. Pilon supplied 15 kills 6 digs and 7 block assists, while Brockmann contributed 11 kills, 12 digs and 3 block assists. Wallenborn also provided many key plays, finishing the match with 9 kills, 12 digs and 4 block assists.

Goble was credited with 56 assists and 20 digs against the Mustangs. Anya Mack (Jr., OH/RS, Cope, CO/Sheridan JC) also recorded 20 digs during the match.
The Zias will conclude the Torneo de Amigas with two matches on Saturday, Sept. 7. Eastern will take on Fort Lewis College at 9 a.m. (MST) and will face New Mexico Highlands University at 1 p.m. (MST).