ENMU Loses 3-0 Against 14th-Ranked ACU in Abilene

Box Score

ABILENE, TEXAS — Eastern New Mexico University was unable to overcome the consistent play of the hottest team in the Lone Star Conference, as the Zias lost 3-0 to Abilene Christian University, 30-26, 30-20, 30-17, on Thursday, Oct. 6 at Moody Coliseum. The Zias dropped to 1-2 in the Lone Star Conference South Division and to 5-10 overall. The Wildcats extended their winning streak to 15 matches to tie a school record and improved to 15-3 overall and to 5-0 in the LSC South.

Eastern came into the match knowing ACU had not lost at home since Oct. 11, 2003, a
streak that improved to 30 matches in the Wildcats’ victory. After staying close in the first game and most of the second, the Zias were overcome by ACU, which is ranked 14th in the most recent NCAA Division II Poll by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Grace George (Jr., MB, Kaaawa, HI/Kahuku HS) led Eastern with nine kills, four block
assists and the team’s only block solo. Lindsay Schiely (Sr., MB, Portland, OR/Clackamas CC) recorded eight kills and had a team best .241 hitting percentage. Setter Kathryn McCannell (Jr., Brandon, MAN, Canada/Bemidji State University) had a team-leading 12 assists, one more than Kara Killian (Fr., S, Amarillo, TX/Randall HS).

In the back row, libero Vanessa Wilcox (Fr., Houston, TX/Kempner HS) led the Zias with 16 digs. All-around player Rhea Wortman (Fr., OH, Prineville, OR/Crook County HS) was credited with 13 digs along with five kills.

ENMU had a tough time on offense, making 30 attack errors while getting only 31 kills.
The Wildcats succeeded on defense, as they recorded 71 digs and 10.0 team total blocks. Eastern attained 60 digs and 7.0 team total blocks.

The Wildcats were led at the net by three players recording double-digit kills. Amanda Slate led the team with 13 kills while Michelle Bernhardt had 12 kills and Abbie Lowry earned 11 kills. By recording 38 assists in the match, ACU’s Lindsey Martin became only the fourth player in LSC history to achieve more than 5,000 career assists.

Eastern played without senior outside hitter Kristi Britain (Fort Sumner, NM/Fort Sumner
HS). Britain, an Education major, had student teaching obligations that prevented her from traveling to Abilene for the match. She will join the Zias in San Angelo, Texas, against Angelo State University on Saturday, Oct. 8 (1 p.m. MDT). Eastern will be back in the friendly confines of Greyhound Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 11, against West Texas A&M University at 7 p.m. MDT.