ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Playing at home for the first time all season, and the Lobo coaches were concerned about nerves.
But with this streaking team, the nerves didn’t stand a chance.
The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team extended its winning streak to four matches as it dispatched Colorado Mesa 5-0 Friday to open its four-match homestand.
The Lobos (7-3) rode strong team play en route to their second 5-0 victory against the Mavericks (1-7) this season, as every pair swept their competition in New Mexico’s home debut at Lucky 66 Bowl.
“I thought everyone played really well,” head coach Jeff Nelson said. “I thought we came out really steady. … You’re always concerned your first home match that they’ll be a little nervous. I thought they were really loose and the played really good. I couldn’t have asked for more.”
After opening the season with nine straight road matches, New Mexico finally hosted a match and opened with a rematch of Colorado Mesa after defeating them on the opening day of the season in Phoenix.
And while the first showdown ended with a tidy 5-0 win for the Lobos, Friday’s matchup was thoroughly dominated by the home team.
“I thought we played them better this time than the first time,” Nelson said. “I really feel like we’re getting better with each week and with each match. I like what we’re doing on the court.”
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On all five courts, New Mexico won by at least five points in every set and held the Mavericks to fewer than 12 points in six of the 10 sets played.
Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland got the Lobos off to a strong start on the No. 2 court, topping Hana Peterman & Naomi Pinnecoose 21-11, 21-12. After pairing up for the first time last Sunday, the tandem have gone 4-1.
“I thought Devanne & Lise looked really good at two today, better than they’ve looked,” Nelson said.
But they weren’t the only Lobos that looked good on Friday, as Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran won their 10th-straight match via a 21-15, 21-6 shellacking of Gabi Dias & Mackenzie Edwards on the fours court.
The duo have extended their own program record for the longest pairs winning streak, and have gone 10-0 to open the season.
After switching from the 2-4-6 courts to the 1-3-5 courts, the Lobos clinched the match on the No. 3 court as Hannah Johnson & Julia Warren beat Kricket Adleman & Megan Gianinetti 21-13, 21-6.
The duo now moves to 7-3 on the season, with all seven wins coming in UNM’s seven match victories.
“It was team effort,” Nelson said, “but I thought Julia & Hannah really played steady at three.”
On the fives court, Maddie Mayfield & Carson Heilborn claimed a 21-16, 21-7 win over Natalee Todd & Racheal Moralez, with Ashley Kelsey & Cassie House rounding out the Lobos’ scoring with a 21-14, 21-12 win over Taylor Woods & Erin Perez.
New Mexico also got two exhibitions in against Colorado Mesa. In the first, Allie Askew & Chloe Crappell defeated Celeste Henderson & Alyssa Chutka 21-15, 21-12, while Jackie Baro & Sami Reynolds posted a 21-9, 21-11 win over the same pair.
The Lobos return to action tomorrow as they play three games at Lucky 66 Bowl. UNM starts at 10 a.m. MT with its third match of the season vs. CMU, followed by Arizona State at 2 p.m. MT and New Mexico State at 4 p.m.
‘I’m excited for tomorrow with us having three matches in one day and see how we hold up emotionally and if we can stay tough and focused all day,” Nelson said.
Arizona State is now 4-4 on the season after defeating CMU 4-1 in Friday’s second match. It was the Mavericks first point in a match after being swept in their first seven matches.
New Mexico 5, Colorado Mesa 0
1. Ashley Kelsey & Cassie House (UNM) def. Taylor Woods & Erin Perez (CMU) 21-14, 21-12
2. Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland (UNM) def. Hana Peterman & Naomi Pinnecoose (CMU) 21-11, 21-12
3. Hannah Johnson & Julia Warren (UNM) def. Kricket Adleman & Megan Gianinetti (CMU) 21-13, 21-6
4. Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran (UNM) def. Gabi Dias & Mackenzie Edwards (CMU) 21-15, 21-6
5. Maddie Mayfield & Carson Heilborn (UNM) def. Natalee Todd & Racheal Moralez (CMU) 21-16, 21-7
Ext. Allie Askew & Chloe Crappell (UNM) def. Celest Henderson & Alyssa Chutka (CMU) 21-15, 21-12
Ext. Jackie Baro & Sami Reynolds (UNM) def. Celest Henderson & Alyssa Chutka (CMU) 21-9, 21-11