Sept. 6, 2008
Sept. 4 at the U.S. Capitol | Sept. 6 – GMU Patriot Invitational champions
FAIRFAX, Va. — The University of New Mexico volleyball team won the George Mason Patriot Invitational on Saturday evening with a 3-0 win over host George Mason, 25-11, 25-15, 25-12. The Lobos improve to 7-0 on the season and have not lost a set yet this season, 21 consecutive set wins which is a UNM record.
All-America candidate Jeanne Fairchild was named the tournament MVP for her four-match performance of 53 kills, 12 digs and seven blocks. Junior Rose Morris and sophomore Jade Michaelsen were also named to the all-tournament team for their weekend performances.
The Lobos built an 8-4 lead in the first, before the Patriots cut the lead to 11-9. At that point, UNM went on a 14-2 run, including a 7-0 run at the end, to take the first set.
UNM took a quick 8-1 lead in the second set and never allowed George Mason to get closer than a four-point difference. Anna Lehne ended the set with one of her team-high 11 kills.
In the third set, the teams swapped points until the Lobos took a 7-6 lead and outscored the Patriots 18-6 for the win.
Lehne had four blocks in addition to her 11 kills, while Michaelsen had four kills, five blocks and 29 assists in the match.
The Lobos will be put to the test next week when they travel to Lincoln, Neb., for the Ameritas Players Challenge. UNM will face 2007 Big East champion St. John’s on Friday, Sept. 12 at 2:30 p.m. (MDT) in the Devaney Center. The opponent on Saturday will be either No. 2 Nebraska or No. 24 LSU at 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. (MDT) in the NU Coliseum.