In order to get to the top, the Lobos are going Down Under.
The University of New Mexico volleyball team is heading to Australia on Saturday, May 21, for a two-week trip, where it will spend 11 days touring and playing a number matches against national teams.
The Lobos, under head coach Jeff Nelson and assistants Pauline Manser and JJ Glavan, will play two matches vs. club teams in Queensland before taking on national teams from Australia, New Zealand and Croatia in Melbourne.
During their trip — which was organized in part by Manser, a former UNM All-American and a native Australian — the Lobos will also be able to learn about Australian culture and tour the country’s beaches.
It’s New Mexico first international trip since 2012, when the Lobos headed to Italy and Slovenia, as per NCAA rules that allow collegiate teams to take international trips once every four years.
This year’s excursion starts in Gold Coast, Queensland on the east coast of Australia, where the Lobos will spend three days getting acclimated. UNM will also get a taste of competition early, playing a scrimmage against the Brisbane Volleyball Club on Tuesday, May 24.
The Lobos then travel to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. On Thursday, May 26, the Lobos will play their second scrimmage, and will take part in a beach volleyball tournament and clinic the following Friday.
On Saturday, May 28, the team then heads to Dandenong, Victoria in southeastern Australia.
There, the Lobos will play the New Zealand national team on Sunday, May 29, before facing the Australian national team Monday, May 30, and the Croatian national team on Tuesday, May 31.
The team then caps the trip with some time in Melbourne and St. Kilda before heading back to Albuquerque on Friday, June 3.
Fans can follow along with the journey at GoLobos.com, with daily updates and photos from New Mexico players and coaches. Fans can also follow the team’s Facebook page (University of New Mexico Volleyball) and Twitter (@UNMVolley).
New Mexico Takes on Australia Schedule:
May 21 – Depart for Australia
May 23 – Gold Coast – Recovery and evening practice
May 24 – Gold Coast – Sightseeing, Scrimmage vs. Brisbane Volleyball Club
May 25 – Gold Coast – Sightseeing, Beaches and Culture
May 26 – Brisbane – Sightseeing/Training in the morning, Scrimmage in evening
May 27 – Brisbane – Beach, Beach Tourney/Clinic in evening
May 28 – Dandenong – Travel, Practice, Watch Australia vs. Croatia
May 29 – Dandenong – New Zealand match
May 30 – Dandenong – Australia match
May 31 – Dandenong – Croatia match
June 1 – Melbourne – Beach, Shopping
June 2 – Melbourne – Great Ocean Road
June 3 – Return to Albuquerque