ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico volleyball team and head coach Jeff Nelson announced the 2017 volleyball schedule on Thursday.
The Lobos, who posted a 16-16 record in 2016, have put together a challenging schedule for the 2017 season that provides a number of opportunities to help develop a roster that will include eight newcomers.
“I believe this is a quality schedule for us with a very young, but athletic team next fall,” Nelson said. “… We only have one senior next fall so this is a group that can really work together and grow with this schedule and for the next couple years.”
New Mexico will take on a schedule that includes seven matches against teams that made the 2016 NCAA Tournament and features three competitive non-conference road tournaments to go with the annual Lobo Classic in Albuquerque.
Check out our schedule for the 2017 volleyball season! Click the link below for more info! #GoLobos https://t.co/B2OGo9FT2b pic.twitter.com/MaYvHdvn4n
— UNM Volleyball (@unmvolley) April 13, 2017
The schedule is highlighted by its matches against postseason teams, as the Lobos face Iowa State and North Dakota during non-conference play and Boise State, Colorado State and UNLV during Mountain West play.
New Mexico opens the season at Iowa State, playing Nebraska Omaha, Kent State and the Cyclones in Ames, Iowa, on August 25-26. The Lobos will remain on the road the following weekend as they play Youngstown State, North Dakota and UTEP in El Paso, Texas, on September 1-2.
Nelson and company return to Albuquerque as they host the Lobo Classic at Johnson Center on September 8-9. New Mexico will take on a strong slate of teams in Portland, Northern Colorado and UT Arlington.
“Our home tournament features three solid programs in UTA, Northern Colorado and Portland, who had an outstanding season last year,” Nelson said.
UNM closes out tournament play at the Blue/Gold Invitational in Toledo, Ohio, as the Lobos play Toledo, Tennessee Tech and Youngstown State again.
New Mexico rounds out its non-conference schedule with a road match at Rio Grande Rival New Mexico State on October 16 and a return trip from UTEP on November 12 in Albuquerque.
“We have strength right away in playing Iowa State on opening weekend,” Nelson said. “We will also see some strength in the non-conference in matches with North Dakota, who won the Big Sky last year, and NMSU, who won the WAC regular season.”
Mountain West play will start on September 21 when New Mexico travels to Colorado State. As per the conference’s unbalanced scheduling arrangement, the Lobos will play twice against eight league opponents and just once against UNLV (November 13 in Albuquerque) and Air Force (November 16 in Colorado Springs).
“We will play five matches within the conference vs. teams that play in last season’s NCAA Tournament,” Nelson said. “The conference will be led by Boise and CSU, but should have good balance.”
Dates and times for all of the matchups will be finalized as the season draws closer.
Fans can follow @UNMVolley on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!