Nelson Interview | Baleto Interview | Warren Interview
TUCSON, Ariz. — After seeing his team’s eight-game winning get streak snapped Friday vs. Arizona, Lobo head coach Jeff Nelson wasn’t sure how his team would respond on Saturday.
But Nelson and his staff had nothing to worry about, as the New Mexico beach volleyball team rebounded with a 4-1 victory over CSU Bakersfield Saturday morning to close out the Wildcat Spring Challenge.
The Lobos (12-4) cruised by the Roadrunners (2-7) at the Arizona Sand Volleyball Courts, showing a great deal of resiliency — both mentally and physically — en route to earning their ninth victory in their last 10 games.
“One of the things we were worried about was the disappointment of losing to Arizona last night and having a setback this morning,” Nelson said. “But I thought we played really good ball. … We came out ready and played consistent and steady. It was really good to get a win.”
After struggling Friday with illness and fatigue, the Lobos picked up their 12th win of the season, which is four times as many wins as they had in their inaugural season last year.
Saturday’s win also continued to show the maturation of the program. Last season, New Mexico didn’t beat an established beach program, and lost 3-2 loss CSUB last April.
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| Eastyn Baleto |
But UNM, which is receiving votes in the national polls, has picked up a number of wins vs. that type of teams this season, including Friday’s 4-1 win over CSUN.
“A year ago, those programs were better than us,” Nelson said. “But this year, we’ve won decisive matches. I think that’s a great measuring stick for where we’re at.”
Carson Heilborn & Maddie Mayfield got the Lobos on the board first against CSU Bakersfield, as they beat the Roadrunners’ Katie Dunbar-Lowe & Amanda Schoene 21-12, 21-11 on the No. 5 court.
Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran followed up with a bounceback performance of their own, topping Sophie Flemion & Kortney Freeland 21-17, 21-13 on the No. 4 court after dropping their first match of the season vs. Arizona.
“I think it was really important for us to come out strong today after our first loss yesterday,” Baleto said. “We were both really excited and wanted to get that win against CSU Bakersfield.”
The duo — which made the Wildcat Spring Challenge All-Tournament Team — is now 15-1 on the season and has lost only four sets all season.
New Mexico’s Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland clinched the victory on the No. 2 court with a 21-17, 21-14 win over Jocelyn Rodriguez & Edithza Urias.
After a rough Friday that saw her come down with stomach flu-like symptoms, Sours rebounded well against CSUB.
The Lobos also got a comeback on the No. 3 court as Hannah Johnson & Julia Warren rallied in both the first and second sets against Kelsee Sawyer & Kayla Tinker for a thrilling 23-21, 23-21 win.
“We mostly had to adapt to what they were doing,” Warren said. “They were really good at defense so we really served really well at the end. Hannah made some great blocks and some great digs. It really just pulled together for us at the end.”
The only point New Mexico lost was on the top-seeded court, where Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey fell 22-20, 21-14 to CSU Bakersfield’s Sydney Haynes & Carol Grasso.
On the exhibition court, UNM’s Allie Askew & Jackie Baro claimed the win, defeating Lisa Armendariz & Ally Barber 21-9, 21-15.
The Lobos, who have played on the road for three of the first four weekends, will get a week off next week before heading to California for four matches on April 8-9.
“We need the downtime to catch up on school and just healthier,” Nelson said. “We played this weekend with two kids sick and that didn’t help our efforts, but they battled through and did a job. But we need to come back in the last four weeks really healthy.”
On Friday, April 8, New Mexico will take on Pacific in Stockton, Calif., before a short trip to Sacramento, Calif., for a match against Sacramento State.
1. Sydney Haynes & Carol Grasso (CSUB) def. Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey (UNM) 22-20, 21-14
2. Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland (UNM) def. Jocelyn Rodriguez & Edithza Urias (CSUB) 21-17, 21-14
3. Julia Warren & Hannah Johnson (UNM) def. Kelsee Sawyer & Kayla Tinker (CSUB) 23-21, 23-21
4. Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran (UNM) def. Sophie Flemion & Kortney Freeland (CSUB) 21-17, 21-13
5. Carson Heilborn & Maddie Mayfield (UNM) def. Katie Dunbar-Lowe & Amanda Schoene (CSUB) 21-12, 21-11
Ex. Allie Askew & Jackie Baro (UNM) def. Lisa Armendariz & Ally Barber (CSUB) 21-9, 21-15
Order of finish: 5, 4, 2*, 1, 3