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Sunday • 5 p.m. MTThe University of New Mexico volleyball team steps out of Mountain West play Sunday as it returns to Albuquerque to take on Rio Grande Rival New Mexico State for its annual “Lobos Love Pink” match.
After dropping a pair of midweek conference matches, the Lobos (10-11, 1-7 MW) have a quick turnaround as they host the Aggies (17-4, 7-0 WAC) in Johnson Center. This match closes a run of five matches in 11 days for UNM, including four in Albuquerque.
This match, the team’s ninth-annual contest in awareness of breast cancer research, pits a pair of teams trending in opposite directions.
Although the Lobos have shown fight in their last two matches behind Cassie House and a mending Julia Warren, they’ve lost seven straight. Conversely, NM State has dominated the last month, winning 11 matches in a row.
However, this match gives New Mexico a good chance to regroup and rebound at home.
The Mountain West has proven to be unpredictable so far, with only one team — six-time defending league champ Colorado State — undefeated in conference play through three weeks.
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Taking a break from the MW, even for a match, provides the Lobos the opportunity to face a different foe with different implications.
New Mexico leads the series 4-3 since 2009, but NM State leads 40-27 overall. The Lobos do own a 15-12 advantage in Albuquerque, winning two of the least three in the Duke City.
House and Warren will be looked to for production on Sunday, but fellow senior Devanne Sours can also make considerable contributions toward the Lobos’ effort.
Although House leads the team in kills (108), aces (12) and block solos (6) in conference play and Warren provides good defense and leadership as team captain, New Mexico’s most successful matches this year were when all three senior pinhitters clicked.
The last time all three registered double-digit kills in the same match was September 16 vs. UT Arlington, a 3-1 Lobo victory. They also accomplished that feat in wins vs. Arkansas and Arizona State, UNM’s two marquee wins of the year.
A return to that triumvirate of production — which will undoubtedly be facilitated by Warren’s improving health as she recovers from a knee injury — likely would help allay New Mexico’s woes.
The Lobos can also count on steady performances from libero Ashley Kelsey, who leads the team with 337 digs on the year.
More consistent play from setters Carson Heilborn and Lise Rugland and middle blockers Victoria Spragg and Mariessa Carrasco will also help UNM as it approaches the midway point of the MW season.
On the other side of the net, New Mexico State has been on a roll lately, storming through the Western Athletic Conference en route to 11 straight victories since September 16.
18th-year head coach Mike Jordan’s team is paced by three players with over 200 kills, including outside hitters Jordan Abalos (281) and Tatyana Battle (227) and middle hitter Sasha-Lee Thomas (208). Kassandra Tohm (186 kills) is the only other player with over 100 kills on the season.
Brianna Ainsworth and Alexsa Parker split the setting, with 555 and 343 assists, respectively. Libero Ariadnne Sierra leads the team in digs (346) and aces (21), with Abalos second on the squad in both categories (220 digs, 21 aces). Thomas (56 blocks) and Tohm (55) are 1-2 in blocks for NM State, with Megan Hart (52) also contributing.
The Aggies rank top 20 in the nation in opponent hitting percentage, limiting their opponents to a .150 hitting percentage. NM State’s offense is also highly ranked, sitting in the top 25 in team assists and kills.
Fans can follow @UNMVolley on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!