MESA, Ariz. — Even though the Lobos have been through this before, season openers still present the opportunity for nerves and jitters.
But with these Lobos, entering their third year in the sand, there was nothing to worry about.
The 18th-ranked University of New Mexico beach volleyball team opened its season with a 5-0 sweep of Benedictine University at Mesa, dispatching the NAIA Redhawks Thursday afternoon behind strong play across the board.
After posting a stellar campaign in 2016, the Lobos (1-0) kicked off their 2017 season with a solid team performance at Gene Autry Park in Mesa, running by the Redhawks (1-6-1) as all five New Mexico pairing won in straight sets.
“I think it was a great start to the season,” New Mexico head coach Jeff Nelson said. “Everyone got out and played and played well at times. We didn’t drop a single game. … I think it’s always good to have a match where we can work the jitters out.”
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| Lise Rugland (25) & Devanne Sours |
With a challenging slate of matches on tap for Friday and Saturday — including tilts vs. No. 20 Loyola Marymount and No. 11 Grand Canyon Friday in Phoenix — the Lobos took advantage of Thursday’s opener vs. the Redhawks.
New Mexico came out and shook off some first-game nerves against Benedictine, showing its experience in the sweep of the first-year Redhawks.
“It was everything we needed for the first game,” Nelson said. “Benedictine served well at us. We had to deal with some wind, but it’s a lot of good things for us to manage in day one to help us prepare.”
The Lobos got off to a strong start in the first flight of courts, relying on it’s 4’s and 5’s pairs for two early match points.
On the No. 5 court, Julia Warren & Lauren Twitty turned away Benedictine’s Cassady Leech & Kassandra Renteria, claiming a 21-11, 21-10 win.
“Julia and Lauren I think are going to be a really good team, but they had to work out some jitters,” Nelson said. “But I thought overall, I thought they had some really nice runs.”
UNM’s No. 4 duo of Jackie Baro & Carly Beddingfield, in their first action as starters, added a 21-16, 21-18 win over the Redhawks’ Lauren Purdy & Caitlan Sammons.
New Mexico continued to rack up wins as the match turned to the higher-seeded pairings, quickly notching the final three points of the match.
Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland, playing out the No. 2 position, logged a decisive 21-13, 21-12 win over Norma Suarez & Marissa Kyman to clinch the match for the Lobos. Both received praise from Nelson after the match for their steady play both offensively and defensively.
Next to finish was the Lobos’ No. 3 duo of Marisa Doran & Eastyn Baleto, which knocked off Ariah Benedictine’s Evans & Benesia Rodriguez 21-11, 21-14. Like Sours & Rugland, Doran & Baleto played consistently in their win, said Nelson.
Last season, that tandem led New Mexico with a 23-3 record playing from the 4’s position.
New Mexico wrapped up the match with a solid showing from their top-seeded duo of Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey, as they beat Hannah Marang & Jade De La Rosa 21-12, 21-19.
On the exhibition court, Emily Nenninger & Baleto (who was pulling double-duty for the Lobos, who travelled just 11) claimed the win, defeating Anokina Mirzapour & Megan Block 21-13, 28-26.
“There are some nerves for the first day and we got out and got them done,” Nelson said. “I think it’s going to help us as we prepare for the rest of the weekend with some really tough matches.”
New Mexico returns to action tomorrow, taking on LMU at 3 p.m. and GCU at 5 p.m. at the new GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium in Phoenix.
No. 1 – Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey (UNM) def. Hannah Marang & Jade De La Rosa (BEN) 21-12, 21-19
No. 2 – Devanne Sours & LiseRugland (UNM) def. Norma Suarez & Marissa Kyman (BEN 21-13, 21-12
No. 3 – Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran (UNM) def. Ariah Evans & Benesia Rodriguez (BEN) 21-11, 21-14
No. 4 – Jackie Baro & Carly Beddingfield (UNM) def. Lauren Purdy & Caitlan Sammons (BEN) 21-16, 21-18
No. 5 – Lauren Twitty & Julia Warren (UNM) def. Cassady Leech & Kassandra Renteria (BEN) 21-11, 21-10
Exh. – Emily Nenninger & Eastyn Baleto (UNM) def. Anokina Mirzapour & Megan Block (BEN) 21-13, 28-26
Fans can follow @UNMBeachVB on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of the Lobos!