Eastern Falls Short in Comeback Attempt, Losing to TAMU-Commerce in Five Games

Box Score

DENTON, TEXAS — Facing a 2-0 deficit, Eastern New Mexico University rallied, but fell short in the fifth game against Texas A&M University-Commerce in the 2nd Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament on Friday, Oct. 14. The Zias lost 20-30, 20-30, 30 28, 30-26 and 9-15, dropping their overall record to 6-13. LSC North Division’s Lions improved their record to 8-13 overall.

In the first two games, Eastern struggled with 18 attack errors while accumulating only 19 kills. In the third game, ENMU became more aggressive, taking an early four point lead, 10-6, behind three kills by Rhea Wortman (Fr., OH, Prineville, OR/Crook County HS). Commerce scored five consecutive points to take its first lead of the game at 11-10. A kill by Grace George (Jr., MB, Kaaawa, HI/Kahuku HS) gave the Zias a 16-15 lead, which would increase to a four point lead before the Lions tied the game at 28-28 on a kill by Brittany Williams. A kill by Lindsay Schiely (Sr., MB, Portland, OR/Clackamas, HS) gave Eastern game point and a service ace by Wortman got the Zias to within one game.

Two consecutive kills by Williams gave the Lions an early 2-0 lead in game four. Eastern reacted with defense as three Zia blocks, two by Davis and one by Wortman, led to six attack errors by Commerce giving ENMU its largest lead, 9-4, of the match. The Lions came back quickly, outscoring the Zias 15-6 for a 19-15 lead. Marcie LeGrand (Jr., RS, Amarillo, TX/Randall HS) allowed Eastern to retake the lead at 20-19, as she provided two kills and a block assist for three of Eastern’s five consecutive points. Commerce’s last lead came at 23-22 which quickly became a one point deficit behind a kill by LeGrand and a service ace by Vanessa Wilcox (Fr., LIB, Houston, TX/Kempner HS). With the game tied for the 8th time at 24-24, ENMU outscored Commerce 6-2 down the stretch to even up the match at two games apiece.

In the rubber game of the match, a kill by Wortman gave Eastern its final lead at 3-2. The Zias would be outscored 13-6 in the deciding game as the Lions’ Tosha Spain provided three kills and a block assist for the match victory. Commerce was led by Jane Latu with 22 kills, Colleen Favaro with 18 kills and Brittany Williams with 13 kills. Alicia Capparelli handed out 60 assists in the match.

Eastern was led on offense by George with 16 kills. Two other Zias recorded double-figures in kills, Wortman with 15 and Schiely with 12. Kathryn McCannell (Jr., S, Brandon, MAN, Canada/Bemidji State Univ.) provided 29 assists to lead the Zias. Wortman recorded a .357 hitting percentage and Schiely added seven block assists.

The Zias will conclude tournament play on Saturday, Oct. 15 with two matches. The early match will be against Midwestern State University, followed by a noon contest against Southeastern Oklahoma State University.