Sept. 11, 2008
Lobo Volleyball
Where: Ameritas Players Challenge, Lincoln, Neb.
Friday: Lobos vs. St. John’s, 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: Lobos vs. LSU, 11:30 a.m.; or vs. Nebraska, 2 p.m.
By Richard Stevens, Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
In a way, Lincoln, Neb., is the perfect place for the University of New Mexico volleyball team to take its perfect record.
Because UNM coach Jeff Nelson and his Lobos know it’s time to place their gaudy 21-0 record of consecutive sets won on the line in a rowdy gym against teams that won’t be intimidated by these perfect Lobos.
Simply put, it’s time to be tested by the big hitters and the big teams of college volleyball.
“This is the level we are supposed to be at,” said Lobo Lisa Meeter. “We’re ready for this and I expect us to step up to the challenge.”
Said Nelson: “We’re going to have to take it to a higher level really quick. This weekend is very tough, but I think they are ready and I think they are excited about it. I don’t think there is a lot of nerves or tension about it. I feel everybody feels like this is where we need to be.”
It’s not exactly that the undefeated Lobos (7-0) have carved out a school record by winning 21 consecutive sets over cupcakes. But the Ameritas Players Challenge in Lincoln, Neb., will introduce the 2008 Lobos to a better brand of volleyball.
The Lobos open the tourney at 2:30 p.m. (MDT) Friday against St. John’s, the 2007 Big East Conference champions. The Lobos’ possible opponents on Saturday are LSU or No. 2-ranked Nebraska.
Nelson said the games are sellouts and there will be more than 12,000 fans in the stands = mostly Cornhuskers.
“It’s going to be so exciting to be surrounded by that many people and to know it’s us against them,” said Meeter. “But I think we can handle that pressure.”
The game the Lobos really want is a Saturday match against Nebraska which would really place the Lobos in a “us-vs.-them” scenario.
“The atmosphere this weekend is exactly what we want,” said Nelson. “We want (Lobos) in the NCAA Tournament and we want them to have to play in an environment like that.
“We’d like to put off losing (a set) as long as we can, but I don’t think losing one is going to be something these girls can’t handle. I think we’re going to be the underdog in both our matches up there, but I think we can have success up there.”
The Lobos are coming off a tournament win in the George Mason Patriot Invitational with wins over Rutgers, La Salle, St. Francis (Pa.) and George Mason. The Lobos went 12-0 in sets during that tourney. Senior Jeanne Fairchild was named tournament MVP, while teammates Rose Morris and Jade Michaelsen were named to the all-tournament team.
Fairchild leads the Lobos with 4.65 kills per set, while Michaelsen paces the setters with 11.00 assists per set. Defensively, Anna Lehne leads the front row with 1.61 blocks per set, while Gayle Tripp patrols the back row with 4.62 digs per set.
“What we’re doing is giving 100 percent and trying our hardest,” said Lehne. “And we’re having so much fun. “We’re expecting to win and that confidence is coming through for us. We’re also pushing and pushing to finish games strong and not quit halfway through.
“We just need to go out there (Nebraska) with our heads and shoulders high and give it our all. That’s all we can do is give it our all.”
The Cornhuskers (6-0) are the obvious favorites in this tourney. They carry that impressive No. 2 ranking and most of those 12,000-plus fans will be behind Nebraska. The Cornhuskers also are a program with a prestigious history. Nebraska has won three NCAA national titles (1995, 2000, 2006) and made it to the regional finals in 2007. The Cornhuskers have dropped only one set this season in a 3-1 win over Southern California.
Coach Nelson said setting the school record for sets won has been a fun thing for his Lobos, but what that represents to him is a Lobos team that is playing good volleyball.
“It’s been good to see seniors step up and lead and do a great job,” he said. “And it’s been really great to see freshmen get in there and have success and learn what we want them to do right away. It’s more than just the wins and stuff. It’s exciting to see the future kids getting in there and having success right away and doing really good things.
“Our expectations are really high this year. Our goal this season is to get our team back between 10 and 30 (ranked). I think it’s a legitimate goal. I think we have the players. I think we have the talent. I think we have a couple of premier players, certainly starting with Jeanne (Fairchild).
“There has been more discussion about our team and all that’s heading in the right direction and that is what we want.”
Editor’s note: Richard Stevens is a former Associate Sports Editor and sports columnist for The Albuquerque Tribune. You can reach him at rstevens50@comcast.net. Previous articles are available at The Richard Stevens Corner.