New Mexico Opens MW Play at Colorado State, Wyoming

	New Mexico Volleyball Mountain West Play • Week 1 New Mexico Match Notes New Mexico at Colorado State Thursday • 7 p.m. MT Moby Arena • Fort Collins, Colo. Live Stats • Live Stream New Mexico at Wyoming Saturday • 1 p.m. MT UniWyo Sports Complex • Laramie, Wyo. Live Stats •  Live Stream

As the conference season dawns in the Mountain West, the Lobos are looking to get an early start on climbing up the league standings.

The University of New Mexico volleyball team opens its Mountain West schedule with a critical road trip as it heads up to the Front Range to face No. 23 Colorado State on Thursday and Wyoming on Saturday.

After closing the tournament portion of their non-conference portion with a 2-1 showing at the Blue/Gold Invitational — the team’s fourth 2-1 weekend to open the season — the Lobos (8-4) are looking to start league play strongly when they face the Rams (10-2) and Cowgirls (5-7).

“I think it’ll be a good week,” UNM head coach Jeff Nelson said. “I think it’s really good for us to be opening conference with probably our toughest road trip right away and get it out of the way. Kids don’t have to stress about it or worry about it on down the season.”

This week’s trip, while a daunting league opener for a very youthful squad, provides the Lobos opportunities to move up the standing.

Through the first month of the season, UNM currently sits tied for third in the parity-driven Mountain West.

Colorado State leads the 11-team conference, while Wyoming is tied for eighth.

However, with a freshmen-heavy roster playing through some injuries, the goal this weekend is as much building as a team as it is starting MW play well.

Carly Beddingfield

With freshman outside hitter Hailey Rubino sidelined with a foot injury, the Lobos have been searching for the right recipe to build on some remarkable performances during the first month of the season.

In their last match vs. Tennessee Tech, the Lobos may have found the key, as sophomore outside Lauren Twitty, junior middle blocker Mariessa Carrasco and junior outside Carly Beddingfield all produced strong numbers.

So far this season, Twitty (142 kills) and Carrasco (99) are leading UNM offensively, with junior middle blocker Victoria Spragg (84) and Beddingfield (44) also chipping in.

“Overall, they’ve played well,” Nelson said of his team. “Their numbers are good statistically, and they’re playing good ball.”

New Mexico has also received steady play from senior libero/outside hitter Ashley Kelsey, junior defensive specialist Mercedes Pacheco and junior setter Carson Heilborn.

Kelsey, the team’s lone senior, anchors the team defense with 181 digs, while Pacheco (115 digs) also contributes in the Lobos’ back row. Heilborn keys New Mexico’s offense, dishing out 396 assists.

Finding that balance with Rubino — the team’s workhorse, according to Nelson — is the next step for the Lobos as they enter MW play.

Freshmen Yasmin Tan and Kayla Long both stepped up in Rubino’s absence last week in Toledo, so continued development from some of the youngest Lobos will pay dividends as the team travels to CSU and Wyoming.

	Mercedes Pacheco

Heading into Mountain West play, Colorado State has certainly put together a sterling résumé. The 23rd-ranked Rams have gone 10-2 through the first month of the season, with their only losses coming in five sets to Power Five teams Duke and Colorado.

CSU, the preseason pick to win the 2017 Mountain West title, has also captured a pair of win vs. top-25 teams, sweeping No. 15 Florida State in Tallahassee and No. 16 Michigan in Fort Collins.

“I think Colorado State is the strongest team in the conference,” Nelson said. “They’re mostly senior dominated and really outstanding in the middle. They also have a great setter.”

Wyoming, on the other hand, has played up and down so far this season, dropping five straight before winning its final two non-conference matches.

The Cowgirls, who picked to finish fourth in the MW’s preseason coaches’ poll, currently sits tied for eighth, with losses to Abilene Christian, Portland, Missouri State and Central Arkansas. However, UW did beat Tulsa and Oral Roberts last Saturday to close non-conference play.

“They’re a much different group from last year, so we’re really looking at their film and trying to break it down and see what they’re doing,” Nelson said. “They’ve won some good matches, but they’ve lost some matches that have surprised us.”

First serve vs. Colorado State is slated for 7 p.m. MT on Thursday at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Lobos will then travel to Laramie, Wyoming, to play the Cowgirls at 1 p.m. MT Saturday.

Fans can follow @UNMLoboVB on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!