When: Boise State, Sat. at 2 p.m. MT | Air Force, Tues. at 6:30 p.m. MT
Where: Bronco Gym, Boise, Idaho | Cadet East Gym, USAF Academy, Colo..
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Although just two games remain in the 2015 season, the Lobos still have a lot to play for.
In the middle of some record chases for its outgoing senior class, New Mexico volleyball closes out its 2015 schedule as it takes on Boise State and Air Force in a pair of road Mountain West matches.
The Lobos (16-13, 9-7 Mountain West) are looking to finish a solid season a high note, and has won two straight heading into the final leg. UNM faces the Broncos (21-7, 13-3 MW) on Saturday before squaring off with the Falcons (11-20, 4-12 MW) on Tuesday.
UNM has the opportunity to better its preseason pick in the conference as it puts the finishing touches on its season. The Lobos were picked fifth in the preseason coaches’ poll, but are currently fourth after topping Utah State on Senior Night on Wednesday.
Boise State, tied in the preseason poll for second, currently sits in that slot, while Air Force, selected to finish seventh, is 10th.
The Lobos will also being playing for some records as its three-player senior class aims for spots in the program history books.
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| Hannah Johnson |
Senior setter Hannah Johnson is just 94 assists from claiming the all-time assists record, while senior middle blocker Skye Gullatt is 16 blocks from the all-time record in career blocks. Fellow senior middle Simone Henderson is also fourth in UNM history in career hitting percentage (.322).
Johnson ranks 13th among all active NCAA players and 12th in MW history in career assists. Gullatt is 15th among active NCAA players and 17th in MW history in career blocks.
And while that group of seniors will be key in this week’s slate, the rest of the Lobos will be relied on to help continue their streak of strong team performances.
Junior outside hitter Cassie House has picked up her numbers on the outside during conference play, teaming up with fellow junior outsides Devanne Sours (the team leader in kills) and Julia Warren at the pins.
Combined with steady defense from Ashley Kelsey and Mercedes Pacheco and the Lobos have been competitive over the last month.
Although UNM dropped three in a row to open November, New Mexico is 7-4 since mid October, and has risen from a team playing .500 ball to a team vying for a top-four finish in the deep and difficult Mountain West.
Boise State is one of the the offensive powers in the NCAA, leading the nation in assist per set and kills per set. The Broncos also leads the Mountain West in kills, assists and hitting percentage, and owns with two of the top three individual hitting rates and the individual lead in kills, assists and points.
Sierra Nobley owns the most kills in a single season in Boise State history with 466 and leads BSU this season. Three other Broncos average above 2.00 kills per set in Kaitlyn Oliver (257 kills, 2.62/set), Sabryn Roberts (237, 2.63) and Maddy O’Donnell (226, 2.40).
Sarah Baugh leads the MW in assists, as well (1,231 assists), while Maddi Osburn is among the top in digs with 460. Boise State doesn’t block a ton, but O’Donnell has 87 blocks on the year, with Oliver adding 85.
New Mexico is 8-1 all-time against the Broncos, winning the last four matches. This is the only matchup between the two teams in 2015.
Air Force enters Tuesday’s match having lost five straight and seven of its last eight. Air Force is middle of the pack in most statistical categories, but suffers defensively, yielding a .232 opponent hitting percentage (9th in the MW) and digging just 11.72 balls per set (11th).
Akokwe Clement is Air Force’s undisputed offensive leader, leading the Falcons with 436 kills in 2015. However, the Lobos held her to a negative .048 hitting percentage (nine kills and 11 errors on 42 attempts) in the first meeting this season, a 3-0 Lobo sweep on October 27 in Albuquerque.
Shelley Spires (323 kills) and Taylor Parker (190 kills, team-high 119 blocks) also contribute offensively. Sarah Hellman (679 assists) and Shanleigh Conlan (541) split setting duties, with Rebecca Bates at libero (385 digs). Albuquerque product Rachel Bradley Powers has 45 aces, second-best in the MW.
New Mexico has historically dominated Air Force, leading the all-time series 33-3. The Lobos have won 23 straight in the series since Air Force swept in 2003, and UNM has claimed 10 straight in Colorado Springs.
Since 2003, UNM has lost just six sets to Air Force.
New Mexico takes on Boise State at 2 p.m. MT Saturday at Bronco Gym in Boise before heading down to Cadet East Gym on the grounds of the Air Force Academy for a 6:30 p.m.MT match vs. Air Force.
Follow the links at the top for the broadcast and live stats, and follow @unmvolley on Twitter for in-game updates.