Zias move on at LSC tourney

LAWTON, Okla. — The Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team moved into the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference tournament Thursday with a 30-26, 30-28, 16-30, 30-12 victory over Central Oklahoma at Cameron University.

Senior middle blocker Emilie Rodman had 13 kills for the Zias (24-7), who play South Division regular-season champion Abilene Christian (26-7) in a 4 p.m. (MST) semifinal today.

Sophomore Grace George added 11 kills and eight blocks for ENMU while senior Anna Bellum had 10 kills and 23 digs.

“Neither team hit well,” ENMU coach Mike Maguire said, noting the teams combined for 68 attack errors. “I think we outserved them and outblocked them.”

The Bronchos (21-9) threatened to get back in the match with a dominating third game, using a 7-0 run to erase a 7-6 deficit and finishing off the Zias with seven of the game’s final eight points.

But Eastern quickly regained control, taking advantage of six UCO attack errors on the Zias’ first seven points and eventually opening a 19-5 bulge.