Zias fall to Kingsville 3-2

KINGSVILLE, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University’s rally fell short and the Zias dropped a 30-10, 30-19, 22-30, 26-30, 15-9 decision to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Thursday night in Lone Star Conference South Division volleyball.

It was the second consecutive time the Zias (6-14, 1-3 South) mounted a rally from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth game. On Saturday at Greyhound Arena, ENMU came all the way back to nip Angelo State 15-13 in the deciding game.

Chelsea Zunker compiled 17 kills and six block assists for the Javelinas (5-14, 1-4), who rode a strong first game — only one error on 26 attacks — to early command. Heidi Scheopner added 12 kills, 13 digs, 29 assists and four block assists for Kingsville.

Junior Randi Egley collected 13 kills, eight digs and four total blocks for the Zias while junior outside hitter Jessie Macknicki added 11 kills and 15 digs. Macknicki’s kill ignited a 7-2 run that helped break open the third game for the Zias, and she tied the fourth game 24-24 with another kill before the Zias took off to even the match.

ENMU returns to action with three matches this weekend in an LSC crossover tournament against North Division opponents in Kingsville. The Zias face Cameron at noon (MDT) and Southeastern Oklahoma at 4 p.m. today before taking on Texas A&M-Commerce at 8 a.m. Saturday.