Lobo Classic — Albuquerque, N.M.
When: Santa Clara, Friday at 7:30 p.m., Cal State Fullerton, Saturday at 1 p.m.; SMU, Saturday at 8 p.m.
Where: Johnson Center, Albuquerque, N.M.
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Match Notes | Santa Clara Stats | Cal State Fullerton Stats | SMU Stats
The Lobos got their first taste of the 2015 season last weekend out in Indiana.
This weekend, they’ll get some home cooking.
The University of New Mexico volleyball team kicks off its 2015 home slate with the four-team Lobo Classic, as it hosts Santa Clara, Cal State Fullerton and SMU this Friday and Saturday at Johnson Center in Albuquerque.
After going 2-1 this past week at the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge in Muncie, Ind., the Lobos are looking to capture a weekend sweep and, after missing the chance in Indiana, head coach Jeff Nelson’s 400th career win.
“The weekend coming up is going to be a tough one,” Nelson said, “but I think it’s one where we can have a lot of success. I think we match up well with these teams and we’re looking for a big weekend at home.”
New Mexico is eyeing a more consistent performance this go around, especially after faltering in its five-set loss against Ball State last Saturday.
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Although the Lobos shined for most of the weekend — including the first two sets vs. Ball State — they couldn’t stave off the Cardinals’ comeback or secure Nelson’s milestone win.
But against this tournament’s field, the Lobos have designs on seizing momentum and key wins as they continue to open up their 2015 campaign.
“We’ve got another really exciting week here with Santa Clara and Fullerton and SMU coming in,” Nelson said. “[They are] teams are in the top-50 RPI and teams that will be great teams to host at home. We’re excited about that.”
Nelson is also excited about the play he received this past weekend, with the emergence of junior Devanne Sours as a full-rotation starter and senior Simone Henderson as a potential point-scorer in the middle.
Sours tallied 34 kills, 28 digs and seven service aces last week, while Henderson exploded for a career-high 21 kills against Ball State. New Mexico has also seen improved development from its youthful defense, as freshman Mercedes Pacheco collected 39 digs.
Add in the continued steady play from senior Hannah Johnson (109 assists) and juniors Julia Warren (21 kills, team-high 41 digs) and Cassie House (32 kills), and the Lobos put up solid numbers to open the season.
“We had some great performances this weekend,” Nelson said. “… I liked a lot of things that I saw.”
New Mexico will need to duplicate those numbers this weekend, considering the caliber of opponents coming to Johnson Center.
Santa Clara, which opened its season undefeated at 3-0, relies on its offensive duo of Nikki Hess (405 kills, 242 digs, 40 blocks in 2014) and Kirsten Mead (1255 assists, 35 aces 180 digs in 2014). Also returning for Santa Clara is senior libero, Danielle Rottman, who lead the team with 527 digs in her junior campaign last year.
Under first-year head coach Ashley Preston, Cal State Fullerton (0-3) is replacing key contributors from last year’s team, but has seen solid work from freshman middle blocker Summer Kerins (26 kills in 2015), senior setter Mackenzie Olsen (93 assists, 8.45 a/s), and junior outside hitter Paige Reed (36 digs).
New Mexico’s final opponent of the tournament, SMU, handed the Lobos a heartbreaking 3-2 loss last year in Dallas, and returns the bulk of the team that did so. SMU (2-1) can look to two of their seniors, Avery Acker (136 assists, 50 digs in 2015) and Abbey Bybel (36 kills, 35 digs) and junior Jannelle Giordano (32 kills, 13 blocks) for a repeat performance.
However, Nelson is hoping this weekend turns up three wins, which would give him his 400th career victory. He had a chance versus his alma mater, Ball State, but will have to claim the victory this weekend.
“It would have been great, but whenever it happens, it’ll be just as great,” Nelson said about No. 400. “I’ve got a great group of kids. I like this group a lot. They’re working really hard and they’re doing good things.”
Over his 21-year career as a head coach, Nelson is 399-235 (.630), with a 157-89 (.638) record at UNM.