Aug. 22, 2005
Turning the corner. Entering her fourth season at the helm of the Lobo volleyball program, head coach Kelley McKee is starting to see the results of building a program from the ground up in one of the top volleyball conferences in the nation. UNM improved not only by five matches in 2004 but gained respect throughout the conference for its competitive play. This season, with eight letterwinners and five starters returning – the most in McKee’s tenure – the Lobos are looking for a breakthrough year toward their ascension in the Mountain West standings. With experienced veterans, a talented group of newcomers and a highly committed staff, the foundation for success is beginning to take shape.
“I feel that the program is in a really good place,” said McKee. “The overall chemistry of the team is the best since I’ve been here. Stabilizing the roster and creating depth in each position has been a challenge from the beginning. Having the depth to play this spring gave our team and staff the much-needed feedback in specific areas of our game so that we continued to improve as a team within our systems. Our team developed and our true competitive leaders rose to the top. Adding this class of newcomers in every position gives us depth for the first time. Everyone will have to compete for their position day in and day out. This is a sure sign of stabilization.
“We all are sharing a renewed sense of hope,” continued McKee. We trust that the good intentions and hard work will translate into competing at a higher level and ultimately winning more matches in 2005.”
McKee certainly knows when the pieces are coming together for a program to maintain long-term success. In her previous position at Northern Arizona, McKee collected a 143-104 (.579) record in nine years, including two conference titles and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. After getting settled at NAU, she led her teams to five straight winning seasons before her departure, going 90-45 during that span. Now she’s looking to do the same at UNM – a proud program that has earned seven NCAA Tournament bids and three Sweet 16 berths in its history.
“I feel that the program is in a really good place,” said Coach Kelley McKee.
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The optimism for 2005 stems from many factors. First, a quality program begins at the top, and McKee is thrilled about working with her vibrant staff, which includes Chelsea Robb and Lisa Beauchene. Robb, who is entering her third year at UNM, was promoted in the spring from second to first assistant coach, and Beauchene, an all-region setter at Sacramento State, joined the program in July.
“I’m really excited to get on the court and get to work with two very smart and talented coaches,” said McKee. “Chelsea has really blossomed throughout the transition phase and Lisa is in the beginning stages of realizing her potential. As players, they both led their respective collegiate teams to championships and there’s no doubt their competitiveness and passion for the game will help develop and lead our team.”
McKee’s quest for stability in the program crossed another checkpoint as she had enough healthy players to lead the team through competition and full practices in the spring, a first since her arrival in Albuquerque. The time spent with the team in the offseason is invaluable, a key component in achieving consistency for the team during the regular season.
“The spring, as far as our team building and leadership development, has helped relax everyone and has taken some of the pressure off of the players,” McKee stated. “Things aren’t as forced. Everyone is just trying to put their best self forward, and it has allowed everyone to put their energy growing both individually and as a team.
“We know we have to make another leap this season,” continued McKee. “We had three matches last year where we were up a game or took it to the fifth game, and we didn’t have the firepower to win those close matches. Recognizing that we have an opportunity to win key games and actually doing what it takes to win them is the next step, and when it happens the team will gain confidence and can use the momentum to keep us moving forward.”
RETURNING PLAYERS
Another sign of constructing a winning team is the ability to maintain quality student-athletes within the program. The Lobos return many familiar faces from a year ago – eight to be exact, including five starters. Leading the way are seniors Chelsea Sondrup and Nicole Ryan.
Senior Chelsea Sondrup looks to become UNM’s all-time leader in blocks in 2005.
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“We did an extensive leadership development series in the spring, and Chelsea and Nicole evolved as the leaders of the team,” McKee said.
Which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Sondrup, a middle blocker, is one of the most formidable forces at the net in school history, already staking a claim throughout the Lobo record book. One of only four Lobos to record at least 300 blocks, she enters the season just 13 blocks shy of becoming the all-time leader in school history. She also owns the block assists record for a career (294), season (131) and match (13).
“I was so impressed with Chelsea in the spring,” McKee said. “She made a commitment to say, `I’m going for it’, and she kept getting better and better, going way past her comfort zone. For a senior to do that in her last spring says a lot about who she is as a person. She’s been with us since day one, and we’ve seen her grow as a volleyball player and as a person. She has a great attitude and is determined to lead this team in her senior year.”
Ryan joined UNM last season from the transfer ranks and made an immediate impact. Named the team’s most valuable player, Ryan led the Lobos with 3.31 kills per game, and in conference matches put down 3.46 kpg, good for fifth in the MWC. This season, Ryan returns as the team’s top outside hitter.
“Nicole is going to come back and she’s going to fly,” McKee said. “She’s just a workhorse who sets the standards of excellence in our gym. Day in and day out she’s our best competitor – she’s highly motivated and wants to win.”
Nicole Ryan led the team last season with 3.31 kills per game.
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Juniors Jennifer Heasty and Kelly Therkelsen are beginning their third year with the Lobos.
Heasty is a two-year starter on the outside who led the Lobos in attack percentage her freshman year. Last year in conference play, she showed her blocking ability, racking up 58 (1.16 pg) to rank 11th best in the league. She also finished in the top 10 of the MWC in service aces.
“Jennifer is still settling into the outside position,” claimed McKee. “Once she stabilizes, she definitely has the capability to be a six-rotation player who we can heavily rely on.”
Therkelsen, who primarily plays on the right side, got off to a great start last season. She earned Comcast Lobo Invitational all-tournament team honors the first weekend of 2004, and the following week garnered all-tournament accolades at the Delaware Invitational after recording a career-high 25 kills against George Washington. Therkelsen finished second on the team with 2.81 kills per game.
“We sense a breakthrough physically for Kelly this year,” McKee said. “She puts forth 100 percent effort every day, and she’s done all the right things to put herself into position to have a really good junior year. She’s a powerful hitter and versatile offensively. If she can get into a rhythm blocking and hitting, she’s going to really help us.”
Jennifer Heasty led the team with 11 kills in last Friday’s win over the Alumni.
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The four sophomores returning are defensive specialist Laura Conklin, libero/defensive specialist Kim Cox, right side Jessica Hezekiah and middle blocker Samie Weber.
Conklin saw action in 22 matches last season and averaged 0.99 digs per game, good for sixth on the team. She had shoulder surgery after last season and didn’t play in the spring, but a full recovery is expected.
Cox was also a fixture in the back row for the Lobos in 2004, playing in 24 matches while tallying 1.73 digs per game, second on the team only behind libero Adah Burke. Although she had reconstructive ankle surgery after the spring season, McKee expects Cox to become the starting libero.
“Kim is on the path to become one of the top liberos in the Mountain West,” McKee stated. “She’s really an important piece to the puzzle for us, and we’ll definitely need her to anchor the backcourt both defensively and offensively.”
Although she only played in six matches her freshman season, Hezekiah possesses a positive work ethic that paid off in the spring. Following the spring season she had to get hernia surgery, but she’ll be ready to go when camp opens.
“Jessica had a breakthrough spring,” commented McKee. “She was right behind Nicole in working hard every single day. She made some key changes to her game and continues to grow.”
Following in Sondrup’s footsteps as a superb blocker, Weber will be a starter in the middle. Weber put on an impressive display of blocking her freshman season, leading the team with 110 blocks (1.22 pg), which ranked 11th best in a UNM season. Her 105 block assists were fourth best in a Lobo season, and she ranked third in the Mountain West in conference matches with 1.38 blocks per game.
“I think we’re going to see Samie just unload her sophomore year in every aspect of her game,” McKee said. “She’s a six-rotation middle, without a doubt. Her front-court game is ready to move forward as far as blocking and hitting – she’s excellent in those areas. We’re going to put a lot of energy into letting her develop in the back row. She’s just going to get better and better.”
NEWCOMERS
In addition to the eight returning players, the Lobos have six newcomers joining the squad this season.
The most heralded newcomer is setter Sarah Kwasigroch, a high school All-American from Palos Park, Ill. Kwasigroch, the 2004 Illinois State Volleyball Player of the Year and three-time first-team all-state honoree, is a phenomenal talent who will immediately contribute to the Lobos. The highly decorated setter holds the Illinois state record for career assists and single-season assists.
“Sarah is going to come right in and start,” McKee said. “We’re building our offense based on her strengths. She’s got great location, pure hands and can exploit the block. Our hitters are very excited about the prospects of working with her. The biggest transition for Sarah will be in her defensive game, both blocking and floor defense. We’re very excited about the qualities she brings to the team.”
Three other newcomers signed NLI’s with the Lobos and are expected to play right away.
Arizona native Joelle Ingram will add depth at middle blocker with her versatility and athleticism.
“Although she’s very unassuming in the way she plays, she’s relentless at what she does,” claimed McKee. “She’s a workhorse, extremely fit, and steady. She’s a good blocker and with a consistent set, I think she’s going to develop her offensive game.”
Sarah Kwasigroch, a high school All-American, will start at setter for UNM in 2005.
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A late signee in July, Michelle Miller is an added bonus to the incoming class. A 6-0 outside hitter, Miller was highly recruited her junior year, but tore her ACL her senior year and did not play volleyball. The Lobo staff saw footage of her playing in the spring after her injury, and knew they saw something special.
“Michelle is the complete package,” McKee said. “After suffering through that ACL injury and then having to reinvent herself in order to have an opportunity to play Division I volleyball, she’s really grateful and appreciative. She’s a six-rotation player who’s aggressive and competitive, and she’s all about the team. She will give us some much-needed depth at the outside and will challenge for a starting position.”
Gayle Tripp is a local product out of Rio Rancho High School. Tripp will see time in the back row as a defensive specialist and could see action as the libero early on while Cox recovers from ankle surgery.
“Gayle is lightning fast and has total control of the backcourt,” said McKee. “She has all the ingredients to be successful, and will play a significant role on the team. She’s a fun player who will step right in and help us.”
Rounding out the newcomers are two walk-ons, both setters.
Tanna Taylor, a sophomore from Truth or Consequences, N.M., played a major role in the spring as the team’s starting setter.
“Tanna helped develop the team in the spring,” McKee stated. “She’s a total team player, and it will benefit her that Lisa is here and can continue to work on improving her game technically and push Sarah everyday in practice.”
A unique walk-on is fifth-year senior Kailin Downs. Downs earned four letters playing golf at UNM and became one of the top players in the history of the program, leaving with a 74.38 scoring average, the best in school history. The two-time Mountain West Conference Golfer of the Year is now ready to try a new sport in her last year at the school.
“Kailin approached us from the very beginning, letting us know she was a setter in high school and would like to try and play after her golf eligibility expired,” said McKee. “It’s a win-win situation for us. She will add depth at setter and is a proven student-athlete who will improve our team chemistry.”
SCHEDULE
The Lobos will participate in three tournaments and 10 non-conference matches in preparation for the Mountain West Conference schedule.
The Lobos will play one exhibition, the annual Alumni Match, on Friday, Aug. 19. UNM opens regular season play at New Mexico State Monday, Aug. 29 in Las Cruces at 7 p.m. The annual Comcast Lobo Tournament follows Sept. 2-3 at the Johnson Center. This year, the tournament features Lamar, Northern Arizona and Villanova.
The Lobos then travel to Missoula, Mont., for the Montana Tournament held Sept. 9-10. UNM will face UC Davis Sept. 9 and Gonzaga and Montana Sept. 10.
New Mexico returns home for the Hilton Albuquerque Volleyball Classic Sept. 16-17 at the Johnson Center. The Lobos take on Delaware State and Oral Roberts on Friday and Syracuse on Saturday.
Mountain West Conference action begins Friday, Sept. 23 against BYU at 7 p.m. The Lobos open the conference slate with five straight home matches. New Mexico doesn’t leave the friendly confines of the Johnson Center for a conference match until Saturday, Oct. 8, when it plays TCU.
The Lobos will welcome intrastate rival New Mexico State Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. for the last home match of the year. The team closes out the conference schedule with three road matches, concluding Saturday, Nov. 19 at Wyoming.
The Mountain West Conference Tournament, held in Las Vegas, Nev., will run from Nov. 22-26.