Aug. 19, 2005
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico volleyball team showed its promise for the 2005 season with a dominating three-game sweep over former alumni in the annual Alumni Match Friday night at the Johnson Center. In their only exhibition before the regular season, the Lobos swept the alumni in three games, 30-15, 30-19, 30-23. Junior Jennifer Heasty led UNM with 11 kills and 14.5 points, and hit .286 for the match. Prior to the match, the Lobo volleyball program held its season kickoff party, welcoming all season ticket holders and Lobo court sponsors.
The Lobos showcased their young talent as freshman setter Sarah Kwasigroch was in complete command of the offense. The heralded newcomer, a high-school All-American out of Palos Park, Ill., dished out 34 assists and collected seven digs, three kills and a block. Sophomore Samie Weber hit .444 with six kills and put down five blocks. Sophomore Kim Cox led the team with 11 digs.
The juniors and seniors did their part as well. Senior Chelsea Sondrup, UNM’s all-time leader in block assists, had six in the match and hit a match-high .615 with eight kills and no errors. Fellow senior Nicole Ryan delivered nine kills, four digs and three blocks. Junior Kelly Therkelsen registered a team-high seven blocks to go along with six kills and a .417 attack percentage.
Vanessa Shields paced the alumni with 10 kills and hit .250 for the match. Overall, the Lobos hit .330 in the match and limited the alumni to a -.035 percentage.
The alumni roster featured Adah Burke, Beth Crandall-Wysong, Marlo Pennington-Maxson, Ingrid Roosild, Andrea Sanchez, Maria Marion, Tracy Shipman-Henderson, Holly Smith, Vanessa Shields and was coached by Julie Rohr.
New Mexico begins the regular season Monday, Aug. 29 against New Mexico State in Las Cruces, N.M. at 7 p.m.