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Thursday • 5 p.m. MTWith one streak behind them, the Lobos are hitting the road looking to start a new, more positive streak.
The University of New Mexico volleyball team, winner of its last match vs. New Mexico State, is aiming to build on its newfound momentum as it returns to Mountain West play for a pair of road matches at Boise State and Air Force.
After halting a seven-game losing streak Sunday, October 16 vs. NM State, the Lobos (11-11, 1-7 MW) are now eyeing to pick up some conference wins when they take on the Broncos (15-6, 6-2) on Thursday and the Falcons (9-12, 0-8) on Saturday.
“I feel like we’re starting to play a lot better ball now that we’re getting our team back on track and even getting people in the positions they belong in,” 10th-year New Mexico head coach Jeff Nelson said.
Since the open of conference play vs. Air Force on September 22, the Lobos have been struggling with injuries, including a knee injury that kept senior outside hitter Julia Warren out for multiple matches.
But now that players are getting healthier — and now that UNM has survived a stretch of five matches in 10 days — things are trending up for the Lobos.
“We just finished a two-week period where we played five matches in 10 days,” Nelson said. “It was a little bit crazy. But I’m happy to say we’re in better health and starting to play better volleyball again.”
Both of this week’s matches shape up to be challenges in a still unpredictable Mountain West. But, the Lobos will have some confidence knowing they fared well against both teams during the first half of conference play.
Air Force, losers of eight in row, provided UNM its only league win this season, while Boise State barely escaped Albuquerque with a win in a 3-2 decision on September 24.
As it’s been all season, New Mexico’s trio of senior outside hitters, Cassie House, Devanne Sours and Warren, will be key during this week’s road swing.
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| Cassie House |
House has been the most productive out of the group, leading the team in kills, aces and points during conference play. She’s currently owns 1,050 career kills and has a shot to break into the program’s all-time top 10 in career kills if she can nab 25 this week.
However, the importance of Sours and Warren to New Mexico can’t be understated. Sours provides solid offense for UNM with 217 kills on the season, while Warren’s leadership as team captain was paramount as the team broke out of its recent dysfunction.
The Lobos’ defense with Ashley Kelsey at libero has also been largely outstanding, and their blocking with Victoria Spragg and Mariessa Carrasco was improved vs. NM State.
More consistent setting out of the tandem of Lise Rugland and Carson Heilborn will further help UNM’s cause, especially as they contend with a prolific offense on Thursday.
Boise State has swept its last four matches (and five of its last six), with only a road loss to UNLV and a home loss to Nevada as its only blemishes on its conference record. The Broncos are tops in the MW in assists, kills and digs on the year.
Preseason Mountain West Player of the Year Sierra Nobley and fellow preseason all-conference picks Maddy O’Donnell and Maddi Osburn lead Boise State. Nobley has racked up 337 kills, with O’Donnell (200 kills), Sabryn Roberts (194) and Kaitlyn Oliver (178) also contributing.
5-foot-5 Jaymee-Lee Bulda has 680 assists for Boise State, while Osburn, a three-time MW Defensive Player of the Week, anchors the Broncos’ defense with 378 digs.
Boise State just edged New Mexico in the first matchup this season, staving off a Lobo match-point opportunity in the fourth set before winning in five sets. But the Lobos were without Warren, who was out injured for the second of three consecutive matches.
“We had a really close match with them the first time around without Warren,” Nelson said. “We lost in the fifth set and had chances to win the match in fourth, so I think we’ve got some good fuel to go up there and play well.”
Air Force presents a different test for UNM. Under first-year head coach Marc Swindle — a former New Mexico men’s volleyball player and volunteer assistant with the Lobo women’s team — Air Force opened 2016 with a 9-4 record. Then the Falcons came to Albuquerque to kick off Mountain West play, lost 3-0 and haven’t won since.
A rather young team, the Falcons have just one senior and two juniors, with 12 underclassmen. A vast majority of the Academy’s offense comes from sophomores Elizabeth Pennington (304 kills) and Abigail Miksch (286 kills).
UNM has historically dominated Air Force, leading the all-time series 35-3. The Lobos have won 25 straight in the series.
“We’re hoping to get another win up there in Colorado Springs and keep moving forward and finish on a high note,” Nelson said.
Fans can follow @UNMVolley on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!