STOCKTON, Calif. — After not playing last weekend, the Lobos quickly made up on lost time.
The 15th-ranked University of New Mexico beach volleyball team continued its torrid streak Friday as it claimed a thrilling 4-1 victory against Pacific on a blustery day at the Raney Volleyball Courts in Stockton.
In a match where all five points in the dual went to three sets, the Lobos (13-4) staved off the Tigers (3-6) on four courts to win for the 10th time in their last 11 matches. It’s the first match for New Mexico since debuting at No. 15 in last week’s DiG Magazine poll.
“It was a very well-played match with all five point matches going three,” New Mexico head coach Jeff Nelson said. “I thought we battled well and played great late in all the matches. Pacific is a very good team that has been ranked and has good sand players.”
Although the Lobos are new to the national polls, their opponent wasn’t. The Tigers opened the year 16th in the DiG poll, and are still receiving votes in the most recent poll.
But for a New Mexico team that has continually moved its goals higher and higher during its breakout second season, beating a talented team like Pacific is a strong accomplishment, especially now that UNM is one of the teams to beat.
Adding to the challenge were intermittent swirling winds, but the Lobos dealt with that issue in the same manner as they did the Tigers.
“We served well today and managed the wind pretty well,” Nelson said. “It was a great win for us in our first venture into Northern California. “
Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland got New Mexico on the board first as they won the No. 2 court 21-15, 17-21, 15-5 vs. Pacific’s Kimmy Whitson & Alicja Wilk. The duo is now 9-2 on the season, and have won their last nine complete matches.
Next to finish was the fours court, where Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran mounted a pair of comebacks to claim the point against Katrin Gotterba & Maycie LaBass.
After winning set one 21-17, they fell 21-23 in set two despite rallying from seven points down. But the duo finally claimed the point in set three, relying a 7-2 run to win 15-12.
The Lobos’ most consistent pair, Baleto & Doran are now 16-1 on the year, and have only dropped five sets all season.
After switching to the odd-numbered courts, New Mexico continued to battle Pacific right down to the end, as courts 1-3-5 finished within minutes of each other.
Hannah Johnson & Julia Warren clinched the match on the No. 3 court, topping Mia Feiner & Jess Hess 21-18, 18-21, 15-8. Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey added UNM’s final point via a 18-21, 22-20, 15-13 victory over Lexi Elman & Andie Shelton on the No. 1 court.
The only setback in the dual for the Lobos came in the fifth position, as Carson Heilborn & Maddie Mayfield came just short vs. Jessica Diederich & Alex Hollt, losing 21-13, 19-21, 15-13.
On the exhibition court, UNM’s Allie Askew & Chloe Crappell fell 21-10, 21-13 to Lauren Cline & Janie Feldsher.
The Lobos return to action later this evening as they take on Sacramento State tonight at 6 p.m. MT at Livermore Community Park in Sacramento, Calif.
No. 15 New Mexico 4, Pacific 1
1. Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey (UNM) def. Lexi Elman & Andie Shelton (PAC) 18-21, 22-20, 15-13
2. Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland (UNM) def. Kimmy Whitson & Alicja Wilk (PAC) 21-15, 17-21, 15-5
3. Julia Warren & Hannah Johnson (UNM) def. Mia Feiner & Jess Hess (PAC) 21-18, 18-21, 15-8
4. Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran (UNM) def. Katrin Gotterba & Maycie LaBass (PAC) 21-17, 21-23, 15-12
5. Jessica Diederich & Alex Hollt (PAC) def. Carson Heilborn & Maddie Mayfield (UNM) 21-13, 19-21, 15-13
Ext. Lauren Cline & Janie Feldsher (PAC) def. Allie Askew & Chloe Crappell (UNM) 21-10, 21-13
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 3*, 1, 5
*Clinched dual win