ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico volleyball program hosted its annual awards banquet on Friday, April 1, as it celebrated all of its outstanding work during the 2015 indoor volleyball and 2016 beach volleyball season.
The Lobos posted another successful year indoors under head coach Jeff Nelson, going 17-14 behind a record-setting senior class, while the beach team is currently 12-4 and ranked 15th in the nation as it continues its second season of competition.
To commemorate the success on an off the courts, Nelson and his staff of JJ Glavan, Pauline Manser and Daniel Foo put together an award banquet at the Embassy Suites.
The banquet featured speeches from Nelson and sport coordinator Kurt Esser and a number of short speeches from several of the players. A picture slide show and a highlight film were also on display during the event.
Nelson also presented a number of awards to both the indoor team and beach team.
Hannah Johnson earned the Cherry Silver Award as the indoor team’s most valuable player, while Marisa Doran earned the award for the beach team. Devanne Sours earned the Scholar-Athlete award indoors with Lise Rugland taking the honor for the beach team.
The Lobos’ top Newcomer of the Year award went to Mercedes Pacheco indoors and was shared by Carson Heilborn and Doran for the beach team.
Most Improved went to Mariessa Carrasco indoors and Maddie Mayfield outdoors.
Nelson tabbed Johnson and Julia Warren for the Coaches Award for the indoor squad, while Warren earned the Captain’s Award.
The program also awarded its two scholarships that is has to recognize its athletes. The Jeanne Fairchild scholarship went to Heilborn and the Lobo League scholarship went to Doran.
Johnson, Skye Gullatt, Cassie House and Simone Henderson also received their All-Mountain West awards, and six Lobos — plus a pair of team managers — earned the UNM Lobo Letterman’s jacket.
The volleyball program also recognized its staff and the help of others throughout the program.
The Ruggiero Award went to Scott Dotson, Associate Athletic Director for Facilities, in recognition of his contributing towards updating and upgrading the New Mexico’s facilities. The Lobo Award was awarded to Mike Draper of Lucky 66 Volleyball, who has provided the Lobos a fantastic home facility where they train and play.