TEMPE, Ariz. — It might not have been quintessential Arizona hot, but the Lobos were sizzling on Saturday.
The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team opened the Sun Devil Challenge with a dominant 5-0 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville, dispatching the Division II Javelinas via sweeps on all five courts.
Behind strong performances across the board, the Lobos (3-3) evened their season record at the PERA Club in Tempe, maneuvering past Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-2) as they eye two key matches on Sunday against No. 9 & 12 Arizona State and No. 13 & 8 Arizona.
“It was nice to play one of the weaker teams and prep for tomorrow,” New Mexico assistant coach Pauline Manser said. “It was good for us to work on the things that we worked on during the week and focused on after last weekend.”
After a solid but sometimes uneven opening weekend last week in Phoenix, the Lobos passed their first test of this weekend with aplomb.
With a couple of pairings in new positions in its lineup, New Mexico managed to play steadily on every court, with just two sets among the 10 played being decided by three points or fewer.
Saturday’s performance also set up the Lobos well for Sunday’s showdowns as they look to pick up momentum during the early goings of the season.
“Most of the teams actually played strategically how we expect them to play tomorrow, so we’re pleased with the result,” Manser said.
Lauren Twitty & Julia Warren got the Lobos off to a quick start, putting UNM on the board first with an efficient 21-9, 21-7 win over Haley Hutchinson & Maelee Sowa on the No. 5 court. The tandem moves to 5-1 on the season, with a spotless 4-0 record from the 5’s spot.
Jackie Baro & Carly Beddingfield followed up with a sweep of their own on the No. 4 court, edging the Javelinas’ Madison Brabham & Paige Lanham 23-21 in the first set before taking set two 21-16.
The Lobos clinched the match on the No. 2 court, where Ashley Kelsey & Cassie House turned away Kelby Sprinkles & Gabby Atchley 21-10, 21-18. After starting the season in top slot, the duo continued to show their skill, easily claiming the match-winning point for UNM. .
New Mexico’s new top tandem, Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland, rose to the position of the No. 1 spot, defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Lexi Wick & Kyra Henderson 21-14, 21-15.
Sours & Rugland are now 4-2 on the season in their first career action together in the 1’s position.
Marisa Doran & Eastyn Baleto sealed the sweep, registering a 21-9, 21-13 win over Kat Evans & Kadi Shipman on the No. 3 court. They also move to 4-2 on the season and 27-5 all-time.
On the exhibition court, Chloe Crappell & Victoria Spragg also picked up a win, taking down Morgan Broussard & Marci Shipman 21-19, 21-17.
The Lobos return to action tomorrow as they face off against tournament host Arizona State at 11 a.m. MT before taking on Arizona at 2 p.m. MT.
New Mexico 5, Texas A&M-Kingsville 0
1. Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland (UNM) def. Lexi Wick & Kyra Henderson (TAMUK) 21-14, 21-15
2. Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey (UNM) def. Kelby Sprinkles & Gabby Atchley (TAMUK): 21-10, 21-18
3. Eastyn Baleto & Marisa Doran (UNM) def. Kat Evans & Kadi Shipman (TAMUK) 21-9, 21-13
4. Carly Beddingfield & Jackie Baro (UNM) def. Madison Brabham & Paige Lanham (TAMUK): 23-21, 21-16
5. Lauren Twitty & Julia Warren (UNM) def. Haley Hutchinson & Maelee Sowa (TAMUK): 21-9, 21-7
EXH. Chloe Crappell & Victoria Spragg (UNM) def. Morgan Broussard & Marci Shipman (TAMUK): 21-19, 17
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 2*, 1, 3
* Clinched dual match
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