ENMU Squanders a 2-1 Lead, Losing in 5 Games at TAMU-Kingsville

Box Score

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS — Eastern New Mexico University lost the final two games in a five game loss to Texas A&M University-Kingsville in a Lone Star Conference South Division contest on Thursday, Oct. 27. The Zias dropped their overall record to 7-17 and their LSC South record to 2-5, losing the match 31-29, 26-30, 30-19, 20-30 and 12-15. The Javelinas clinched a berth to the LSC Tournament as they improved to 10-17 overall and 5-3 in the LSC South.

In the first game, Eastern came back from a 19-14 deficit beginning with a kill by Grace George (Jr., MB, Kaaawa, HI/Kahuku HS). A kill by Lindsay Schiely (Sr., MB, Portland, OR/Clackamas CC) evened the score at 20-20, as the teams seesawed back and forth for the rest of the game. With the score tied at 29 all, Marcie LeGrand (Jr., Amarillo, TX/Randall HS) gave the Zias game point on a kill. A setting error by Kingsville’s Heidi Scheopner provided ENMU with an early 1-0 lead.

Kingsville separated itself in the second game by scoring six consecutive points to take a 17-12 lead and never allowed Eastern to get closer than three points to tie the match at 1 game apiece. The Zias never trailed in the third game after an early 2-2 tie. A kill by Rhea Wortman (Fr., OH, Prineville, OR/Crook County HS) game the Zias the game and a 2-1 lead in the match.

ENMU only led once in the fourth game, 2-1, before Kingsville took command of the game with runs of five, seven and four consecutive points to go up by ten, 14-4. In the deciding fifth game, Eastern never led, but got within one point, 12-13, on a kill by Kristi Britain (Sr., OH, Fort Sumner, NM/Fort Sumner HS). The Javelinas closed out the match with a kill by Shaday Smith and a service ace by Leslie Petros.

ENMU’s hitting percentage of .248 was more efficient than Kingsville .215 hitting percentage. The Javelinas won the match because they were able to get more attack opportunities with 181 total attacks to the Zias’ 133 total attacks. Wortman led the Eastern offensive attack with 15 kills and a .324 hitting percentage. Britain with 11 kills and George’s 10 kills were the only other Zias to record double-digits in kills.

The Javelinas had four players recording double-digits in kills, led by Smith’s 19 kills. Kristena Eyraud led Kingsville defense with six blocks. Kara Maughan provided five service aces, one less than Eastern managed as team. Kathryn McCannell (Jr., S, Brandon, MAN, Canada/Bemidji State Univ.) recorded 23 assists, just two ahead of Kara Killian’s (Fr., S, Amarillo, TX/Randall HS) 21 hand outs.

Eastern plays against Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on Saturday, Oct. 30. The Zias will be at home for the final two matches of the season, beginning on Thursday, Nov. 3 against Angelo State University. ENMU will wrap-up the 2005 campaign taking on nationally ranked Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Greyhound Arena.