TUCSON, Ariz. — When the Lobos are clicking, not even a last-minute lineup change can stop them.
Despite being down a key player heading into Saturday’s match, the University of New Mexico beach volleyball team turned away Santa Clara 4-1 as it closed out the Wildcat Spring Challenge with a victory.
With team captain Marisa Doran sidelined with a migraine, the Lobos (8-9) retooled their lineup for their dual vs. the Broncos (0-8), picking up the win to finish the two-day event with a 2-1 record and some momentum heading into next week’s slate of home matches.
“It was an interesting match for us we had to change our starting lineup at the last minute due to a migraine,” UNM head coach Jeff Nelson said. “… Overall it was a great win and a solid weekend.”
Along with a decisive sweep of CSU Bakersfield on Friday, the Lobos opened the second half of their season with a strong showing. Their only loss on this trip west was a 4-1 setback Friday to eighth-ranked Arizona.
But, with a new partnership being looked upon for some scoring in another key match, New Mexico managed to prevail against Santa Clara, sweeping three points at the Arizona Beach Volleyball Courts.
The Lobos got out to a quick start on the No. 5 court, where Friday’s standouts, Julia Warren & Lauren Twitty continued their run with a dominant sweep. They combined for a 21-14, 21-9 win over the Broncos’ Ngozi Nwabuzoh & Erin Reineking, extending their winning streak to a season high-tying three straight matches.
“Julia and Lauren capped off a great week with their third win,” Nelson said. The tandem also made the Wildcat Spring Challenge All-Tournament Team for the Lobos.
Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey followed up with a strong win of their own, dispatching Nikki Hess & Allison Kantor 21-13, 21-9 on the No. 1 court. With their win, the tandem has now won 20 matches together, becoming the third partnership in UNM history to reach that plateau.
One of the other Lobo duos to reach that mark, Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland, clinched the match for UNM as they registered a 21-12, 21-19 win over Kirsten Mead & Jensen Cunningham on the 2’s court.
They have 26 career wins as a partnership.
The final pair to have ever won at least 20 matches in program history, however, was out of commission on Saturday. Doran & Eastyn Baleto have won a program-best 34 matches all-time, but with Doran out of action, Baleto had to find a new partner.
But, teamed up with Victoria Spragg at the No. 4 court, Baleto delivered a come-from-behind victory. Together, Spragg & Baleto knocked off Santa Clara’s Taylor Laugero & Hailey Lindberg 11-21, 21-16, 15-10, scoring the final point of the match.
“We inserted Vic with Eastyn in the four spot,” Nelson said. “The two started slow but finished strong to get the point in their position. I was proud of them as they hadn’t partnered previously.”
The only point New Mexico dropped was on the No. 3 court, where Jackie Baro & Carly Beddingfield fell 21-17, 21-16 to Tatiana San Juan & Michelle Gajdka in a tight competition.
The Lobos return to action next Friday and Saturday as they host Colorado Mesa for a pair of matches at Lucky 66 Bowl on 4th Street. UNM plays the Mavericks at 4 p.m. on Friday, followed with an 11 a.m. match on Saturday.
New Mexico 4, Santa Clara 1
1. Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey (UNM) def. Nikki Hess & Allison Kantor (SCU) 21-13, 21-9
2. Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland (UNM) def. Kirsten Mead & Jensen Cunningham (SCU) 21-12, 21-19
3. Tatiana San Juan & Michelle Gajdka (SCU) def. Jackie Baro & Carly Beddingfield (UNM) 21-17, 21-16
4. Eastyn Baleto & Victoria Spragg (UNM) def. Taylor Laugero & Hailey Lindberg (SCU) 11-21, 21-16, 15-10
5. Julia Warren & Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Ngozi Nwabuzoh & Erin Reineking (SCU) 21-14, 21-9
Order of Finish: 5, 1, 2*, 3, 4
*Cinched dual win
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