Zias drop first two matches of season

CMI staff

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — It was a long day for Eastern New Mexico University’s volleyball team as the Sia Poyer Era began.

Poyer, an ENMU grad and an assistant for 14 years at the school (1991-2004), watched his first squad as head coach drop matches to Southwestern Oklahoma 25-19, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19 and to Southern Nazarene 25-15, 25-13, 25-14 on Friday in Midwestern State’s season-opening Hampton Inn-vitational.

The Zias complete play in the event today, taking on Emporia State at 8 a.m. and Northwestern Oklahoma State at noon (MDT).

ENMU never led against the Crimson Storm, managing only 1-1 ties in the first and third sets. Southern Nazarene quickly took control with a 5-0 run in the first game, scored the first five points of Game 2 and then tallied six unanswered points to break the lone deadlock in the third set.

Taylor Jacobs had a double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs for the Crimson Storm, to go with two aces and five total blocks. The Zias were led by nine kills from Courtney Lawson and 16 digs from senior libero Haylee Couch, while junior setter Karra Day added 24 assists.

Southwestern Oklahoma 3, ENMU 1 — The Mustangs finished off what had been a close third set with a game-ending 10-3 run, then overcame an early four-point deficit in the fourth set to nail down the win.

ENMU erased an early four-point deficit to win the second set and pull even in the match, getting a kill from freshman outside hitter Lauren Frye on set point.

Carly Zak had 14 kills, leading three players in double figures for the Mustangs.

Frye had 12 kills and seven digs, freshman outside hitter Courtney Lawson added 11 kills and 19 digs and junior outside hitter Alix Russell collected 10 kills, four aces and seven digs for the Zias. Also, Couch posted 20 digs and Day had 37 assists.