Sept. 6, 2008
FAIRFAX, Va. — The University of New Mexico volleyball team continued its winning ways with a 3-0 win over St. Francis (Pa.) on Saturday morning at the George Mason Patriot Invitational in Fairfax, Va. All-America candidate Jeanne Fairchild led the Lobos for the sixth consecutive match in kills with 15. Junior Anna Lehne reached double digit points with nine kills and five block assists.
New Mexico took a 6-2 lead in the first set on three blocks by Lehne and Jade Michaelsen and a kill by Fairchild. The Lobos allowed the Red Flash to within two at 14-12, but kills by Fairchild, Lehne and Allie Suiter put the Lobos ahead 20-13. A service ace by Allison Buck and a kill by Lisa Meeter sealed the win, 25-15.
St. Francis started the second set with a 7-3 lead, before the Lobos settled down and evened the score at eight on an ace by Sarah Kwasigroch. UNM built a 15-11 lead, then Michaelsen held serve for the Lobos for the 25-11 win.
In the third set, the Lobos built up a 16-6 lead and held on for the match win, 25-15.
The 18 consecutive set wins ties the UNM record that began Nov. 21, 1987 and ended Sept. 10, 1988. The 18 wins to start the season is a new UNM record and single-season record.
Michaelsen and Kwasigroch continue to split time at setter assisting on 17 and 11 kills, respectively. Gayle Tripp led the team in digs with 10.
The Lobos wrap up the East Coast swing of their 12-match road trip this afternoon against host George Mason at 4 p.m. (MDT).