Zias Open Season with Two Wins at West Texas A&M Lady Buff Classic
ENMU Defeats Arkansas Tech and Incarnate Word

CANYON, TX – The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team opened the 2002 season with a pair of victories in the Lady Buff Classic at West Texas A&M University, Friday, Aug. 30, in Canyon, Texas. The Zias swept Arkansas Tech University, 30-28, 30-28, 30-24, in their first match, then defeated the University of the Incarnate Word, 30-12, 30-19, 20-30, 30-25 to move to 2-0 on the season.

ENMU will close out the tournament with two matches on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Zias will take on Trinity University (Texas) at 9 a.m. (MST) and will meet Colorado School of Mines at 5 p.m. (MST). Eastern plays at Wayland Baptist on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. (MST), before hosting the Torneo De Amigas at Greyhound Arena, Sept. 6-7.

Senior transfer April Brockmann (MB, Tempe, AZ/Chandler-Gilbert CC), who last played in 1999 at Cameron University, before completing a church-related mission, recorded 12 kills in each match. In the season opener against Arkansas Tech, she hit an impressive .500, with her 12 kills coming on 24 attacks, with no hitting errors. She added 12 kills with 5 errors on 20 attacks against Incarnate Word for a .350 hitting percentage in the Zias’ second match.

Christabell Mariner (Sr., OH/MB, Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa/Tafuna HS) recorded 12 kills and 8 digs against Arkansas Tech. She registered 10 kills and 17 digs versus Incarnate Word.

ENMU dominated the hitting in its match with Arkansas Tech. Eastern achieved a .306 hitting percentage during the match, while limiting the Golden Suns to a .134 hitting percentage.

Brockmann and Mariner led the offense statistics against Tech, but ENMU had a balanced attack which also included 9 kills from Courtney Wallenborn (Sr., RS, Camas, WA/Mt. Hood CC) and 8 kills from Anya Mack (Jr., OH/RS, Cope, CO/Sheridan JC). Junior setter Margie Goble (San Antonio, TX/Holmes HS) bolstered the ENMU attack with 28 assists.

Meanwhile, Arkansas Tech was led by senior Ningning Liu, who topped all players with 24 kills. She hit .273 for the match with 12 errors and 44 total attacks. Stephanie Storedahl ranked second for the Golden Suns with 6 kills. She also provided 10 digs. Julie Plotts contributed 34 assists, while Sarah Stevens added 12 digs.

ENMU powered its way to an early lead against Incarnate Word. The Zias hit .300 as a team in the opening game, while holding UIW to a negative .258 hitting percentage. Eastern won the game 30-12, then took the second game, 30-19. The Crusaders won the third game, 30-20, but were unable to complete the rally, as the Zias closed out the match with a 30-25 win in Game #4.

Brockmann and Mariner combined for 22 kills against UIW. Wallenborn tacked on 8 kills, while Mack supplied 7 kills and 11 digs. Goble produced 27 assists, 12 digs and 4 service aces. Brockmann also earned 4 aces, helping the Zias total 14 aces overall
ENMU’s hitting cooled off after the first game, and the Zias finished the match with a .144 hitting percentage. The Zias, however, played solid defense, earning 6 block solos, 7 block assists and 66 digs.

Incarnate Word, which defeated ENMU in four games last season, received 10 kills and 10 digs from Jenni Skopal. Kathleen Kernwein added 9 kills and Leah Dworaczk achieved 8 kills. Brandi Garcia dished out 30 assists to go with 12 digs. The Crusaders hit just .030 as a team during the match.