Ball State Active Ankle Challenge — Muncie, Ind.
When: Belmont, Friday at 8 a.m. MT; Albany, Friday at 3 p.m. MT; Ball State, Saturday at 5 p.m. MT
Where: John E. Worthen Arena, Muncie, Ind.
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Live Stream: Ball State on ESPN3.com
Match Notes | Belmont Stats | Albany Stats | Ball State Stats
Although the Lobos return six starters, New Mexico volleyball is certain to look different from last year.
Chalk it up to a new team dynamic, key new faces or just a change in style, but this new-look Lobo team has high expectations for 2015.
New Mexico, which opens up its campaign Friday against Belmont at the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge in Muncie, Ind., is eyeing to exceed last year’s results en route to making a return to the postseason for the first time in five years.
The Lobos are paced by a deep and largely experienced roster, which will be tasked with both improving on last year’s 19-12 record and filling the shoes of departed All-American Chantale Riddle.
“We feel like we’re in a really good place with six starters returning and really greath depth throughout the program,” head coach Jeff Nelson said
And while replacing the Mountain West and New Mexico record-holder in career kills is a daunting task, the Lobos have the players to do just that.
“We certainly have a lot of experience and that should help us early on,” Nelson said. “Obviously, you lose a terminator in Chantale, but I think we have much more balance … [We are going to] see who steps up and takes over as our next terminator.”
One of the Lobos’ strengths lie on the outside, as UNM brings back All-Mountain West players Cassie House and Julia Warren, along with Devanne Sours, Eastyn Baleto and Ashley Kelsey.
House finished second on the team in kills in 2014 (behind Riddle), while Sours was third. Warren, who started last season at outside hitter before moving to libero, is back on the outside and is one of UNM’s two Preseason All-MW picks.
The Lobos also add transfer Marisa Doran from Irvine Valley College in California, who was second in kills and led IVC in digs and service aces in 2014.
Out of that group of six, finding who to start is a good problem for Nelson, but that depth can help alleviate the pressure of succeeding Riddle.
However, the Lobos have talent at most every position, including some welcome depth at setter.
Returning is two-time All-MW setter Hannah Johnson, New Mexico’s second preseason all-conference selection. A three-year starter for Nelson at setter, Johnson has emerged as one of the premier athletes at her position in the MW.
Backing up Johnson is the Washington Gatorade Player of the Year Carson Heilborn, a freshman from Auburn, Wash. A youthful setter with tons of upside, Heilborn can immediately backup Johnson.
New Mexico also has two seniors in the middle, with Simone Henderson and Skye Gullatt. Both started for Nelson last year, and put up over 130 kills apiece for the Lobos. Redshirt freshman Mariessa Carrasco and sophomore Victoria Spragg also can fill up the middle.
Rounding out the Lobos’ roster is a youthful group of libero/defensive specialists. Stephanie Chavez, a sophomore, is the only returning player, with Mercedes Pacheco and Allie Askew coming aboard as freshmen.
New Mexico will get to test its veteran roster against a strong schedule, with two road tournaments and a pair of strong home tournaments.
The Lobos will open at the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge, facing Belmont, Albany and Nelson’s alma mater, Ball State.
New Mexico’s match against Ball State holds extra significance for Nelson, as it potentially represents his 400th career win, provided the Lobos beat Belmont and Albany. Nelson’s 100th win was also against the Cardinals during his time coaching at Texas Tech.
“It’s great to be going back,” Nelson said of his return to Muncie. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great place to go to school and it’s a beautiful campus.”
After its opening weekend, New Mexico hosts Santa Clara, Cal State Fullerton and SMU at the Lobo Classic before heading to Los Angeles for the USC Invitational, where it will face off against Pepperdine, USC and Idaho State.
UNM then closes out tournament play with the Lobo Invitational taking on CSUN, LIU-Brooklyn and LSU.
Conference play will present a challenge for New Mexico, with five teams vying for a top finish in the conference. Picked to finish fifth in the MW in the preseason coaches’ poll, the Lobos are looking up at Colorado State, UNLV, Boise State and Wyoming in the poll.
The Lobos will travel to perennial MW favorite CSU on Oct. 8 before hosting the Rams on Nov. 7, and will face off twice against UNLV (Oct. 17 in Albuquerque, Nov. 12 in Las Vegas) and Wyoming (Oct. 10 in Laramie, Nov. 5 in Albuquerque).
UNM takes on Boise State just once, a Nov. 21 date in Boise.