Lobos Head Down I-25 for Monday Tilt vs. NM State
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New Mexico at New Mexico StateAsk any college student and they’ll tell you the grind never stops. But for these Lobos, in the midst of a potentially season-defining stretch, that much is doubly true.
The University of New Mexico volleyball team steps out of Mountain West play on Monday as the Lobos head down to Las Cruces for a Rio Grande Rivalry showdown against New Mexico State. The match is slated for a 6 p.m. MT start and will be broadcast on ESPN3.
After picking up a key win vs. Fresno State on Saturday during their “Lobos Love Pink” match, New Mexico is looking to make it two wins in a row as it takes on its in-state rival in the teams’ lone meeting of 2017.
With some momentum on their side after beating Fresno State to snap a three-game skid, the Lobos (11-9 overall, 3-5 MW) have an opportunity to build more steam.
This match vs. the Aggies (13-7, 5-2 WAC) is the third in five days for UNM and continues a stretch of five matches in 10 days.
Later this week, New Mexico is back in Albuquerque to play MW foes Colorado State and Wyoming.
But, if the Lobos can top their I-25 foes for the second straight year, it would not only propel them forward into the back half of conference play, it would also provide some confidence for a young team learning how to play through a long season.
Since the start of Mountain West play, New Mexico has posted some superb performances, including wins over Wyoming, Utah State and Fresno State.
But the Lobos have also turned in some less-than-stellar results, which makes any win important in regards to both league standings and — in the case of Monday’s match — maturing as a team.
Playing team volleyball for a complete match is the key for a New Mexico squad that features nine freshman.
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| Lauren Twitty |
Whenever the Lobos can limit their mistakes and convert a better hitting percentage than their opponents, they’re undefeated (11-0). Similarly, when UNM has out-dug its competition, it’s 10-1.
Managing all three phases of the offense — serve receive, setting and hitting — is what powers the Lobos.
So far this season, sophomore outside hitter Lauren Twitty has led UNM’s attack, leading the team with 3.67 kills per set. When she’s on, she can effectively carry the team, as evidenced by the team’s 8-2 record when she hits over .200.
Redshirt junior middle blockers Mariessa Carrasco and Victoria Spragg have also provided some important performances, as well, both offensively and defensively at the net.
Carrasco leads UNM in hitting (.329) and is second on the team in both kills/set (2.40) and blocks/set (0.84), while Spragg is tops in blocking (1.04/set) and third in kills (2.10/set).
And with the full-rotation return of do-it-all freshman outside hitter Hailey Rubino (2.35 kills/set in matches played full rotation, 2.38 digs/set), New Mexico’s offense is finally rounding back into form.
Getting more steady play out of Carson Heilborn — like her yeoman eight-kill, 38-assist showing vs. Fresno State — will also pay dividends for UNM.
However, as the Lobos travel south for Monday’s match, they’ll need to be prepared for a tough challenge.
Arguably one of the toughest teams in the Western Athletic Conference over the past years, New Mexico State hasn’t lost a step in 2017. So far this season, the veteran Aggies are 13-7 and own a 5-2 record in WAC play.
20th-year head coach Mike Jordan returns all of his starters from its 2016 team that went 24-7 and won the WAC regular-season title. This season, NM State was picked as the WAC preseason favorite.
During its non-conference season, NM State gained experience playing Power Five teams in Notre Dame, Arizona and then-No. 11 UCLA. Within the WAC, the Aggies have lost just twice, falling in five sets to both UT Rio Grande Valley and Utah Valley
New Mexico State owns a 40-28 advantage in the all-time series, but New Mexico has won five of the last eight meetings.
Last year, coincidentally also on October 16, the Lobos notched a 3-1 victory over the Aggies in Albuquerque.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboVB on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!