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The University of New Mexico volleyball team, winners of two of its last three matches, looks to continue its recent trend of solid play as its hosts Fresno State and San José State this week at Johnson Center in Albuquerque.
After dropping the first matches of the season to both teams, the Lobos (12-12, 2-8 MW) have designs on returning the favor when they take on the Bulldogs (12-9, 3-7) on Thursday and the Spartans on Saturday (10-12, 3-7).
“We’re looking forward to coming home and having them play on the road at our place,” New Mexico assistant coach JJ Glavan said. “… We feel that we have good opportunities to get going and start the ball rolling for [the second half of] conference.”
It’s an interesting week for New Mexico as the Mountain West continues to be rocked by upsets and surprises heading through the halfway mark of the league campaign.
Although it’s a four-team race between Colorado State (8-2 in the MW), UNLV (8-2), Boise State (8-2) and Wyoming (7-3) for the conference crown, the Lobos have a chance to close the season strongly.
Injuries and health issues proved to be an early obstacle for New Mexico to start conference play, which featured a 3-2 loss at San José State on September 29, followed by a 3-0 defeat at Fresno State two days later.
But, as the team continues to get more and more healthy every week, UNM’s prospects are looking up heading into the final month of the season.
The Lobos have won two of their last three, and are aiming to build on this past Sunday’s 3-0 thrashing of Air Force.
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| Lise Rugland |
In the first games in this year’s series against the Spartans and Bulldogs, the Lobos were without the full-rotation services of Julia Warren. She missed the match vs. SJSU entirely, and returned in the back row only vs. Fresno State.
Warren, along with fellow seniors Cassie House and Devanne Sours, have led the team this season, and with all three healthy, New Mexico is a different team.
In matches when all three tally at least 10 kills, UNM is a spotless 4-0, including their sweep of Air Force last week.
“It’s good to see our pinhitters develop a little bit more and get our offense going,” Glavan said. “So hopefully that gets us going a bit more for our week against Fresno State and San José State.”
That group can carry the Lobos to a strong finish over the final month of the season, but New Mexico also needs more steady play from other positions to continue its recent rebound.
Lise Rugland earned her first start at setter vs. the Falcons and ran the Lobos’ offense well, dishing out 40 assists to key UNM’s attack. Between her and Carson Heilborn, the team has good setting, but consistency is paramount.
The same is true of the team’s middle blocking, with redshirt sophomores Victoria Spragg (eight total blocks vs. NM State on October 16) and Mariessa Carrasco (four kills and four blocks vs. UNLV on October 11).
Ashley Kelsey has been one of the most reliable players so far this year, collecting 386 digs (4.29 per set) to rank second in the MW. She’s collected at least 12 digs in 13 of her last 14 matches.
On the other side of the net, the Lobos’ competition are also looking for more wins in the topsy-turvy Mountain West.
After finishing nonconference play 9-2, Fresno State has gone 3-7 through the first half of Mountain West play. The Bulldogs do have a solid five-set win over Wyoming from last Thursday, but they’ve split their last four matches.
Aleisha Coates is the undisputed offensive leader for Fresno State, knocking home 284 kills (3.59/set) this year. Jacqueline Hutcheson leads the MW with 0.51 aces/set, while Maggie Eppright has posted 293 digs (3.71/set) this season.
The Bulldogs lead the overall series vs. UNM 12-11.
The Spartans have arguably the most surprising win of the Mountain West season, a 3-2 triumph over six-time defending league champ Colorado State on October 20. That win snapped a streak of 31 consecutive conference wins for the Rams.
Giulia Gavio (193 kills, 3.51/set) and Avery Summer (162, 2.42) lead the Spartans offensively, with Nandyala Gama (151 kills) and Latahevai Lousi (144 kills) also contributing. Luiza Andrade (337 digs, 4.06/set), Gama (105 blocks, 1.27/set) and Thaliana Grajeda (74 blocks) pace the defense
The Spartans rank relatively low in the Mountain West in offensive production, sitting 11th (out of 11 teams) in hitting percentage (.168) and ninth in kills (12.29). However, SJSU is fifth in blocks (2.43), digs (13.65) and opponent hitting percentage (.199).
Despite its loss last month, New Mexico has dominated the all-time series vs. the Spartans, going 12-4. San José State’s last win vs. UNM in Albuquerque was on October 10, 1998.
Fans can follow @UNMVolley on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!