BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Riding a season-best winning streak, not even a fire-breathing dragon could could temper the Lobos’ hot streak.
The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team extended its winning streak to five matches on Friday as it opened the Blazer Beach Duals with a pair of strong victories over UAB and Lincoln Memorial.
Now winners of nine of their last 11 matches, the streaking Lobos (12-9) shined at the West Campus Athletic Complex, routing the Railsplitters (6-10) and host Blazers (10-14) to kick off the two-day tournament.
“Today was a great day for Lobo volleyball,” UNM head coach Jeff Nelson said. “We only dropped one point and played good, aggressive ball.”
Over the past month, New Mexico has played some exceptionally strong volleyball. Outside of a pair defeats to nationally ranked foes, UNM has dropped just three points during its current run of success.
In fact, over its last nine wins, the Lobos haven’t lost a point in two sets. However, New Mexico has continued to rack up the sweeps, earning its eighth 5-0 decision of the season in Friday’s first match.
UNM’s match winning streak has also reach rarefied air, as its five-match run equals the second longest win streak in program history.
The Lobos will get two more chances to add on to their run on Saturday as they play UT Martin at 9 a.m. MT before playing a rematch vs. UAB at 11 a.m. MT.
New Mexico 5, Lincoln Memorial 0
In their first match of the day, the Lobos got a rematch, taking on Lincoln Memorial for the second time this season.
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| Devanne Sours |
And, like the first meeting last month in Tavares, Florida, New Mexico claimed Friday’s match in a 5-0 sweep. It’s the team’s eighth sweep of the season, eclipsing the seven that UNM registered last season.
The Lobos have registered at least one sweep every week of action this season.
“It was a good match to start the weekend,” Nelson said. “We got off to quick starts and won all five first games. The match was secured early and we were able to work out of a couple holes.”
New Mexico struck quickly against Lincoln Memorial as Julia Warren & Lauren Twitty snapped up their sixth straight win, this one a 21-16, 21-8 triumph over Erica Whiteaker & Beka Wachob on the No. 5 court.
Carly Beddingfield & Chloe Crappell followed up with a win of their own on the 4’s court, reeling off five straight points in the third set to win 21-17, 14-21, 16-14 over Kiera Holland & Lindsey Nartker.
After taking a 10-7 lead in the decisive third frame, Beddingfield & Crappell fell behind 14-11 before staging their comeback to put UNM up 2-0 on the Railsplitters.
“I was really pleased with the way Chloe & Carly fought off three match points to come back and get a win,” Nelson said.
Marisa Doran & Eastyn Baleto added a 21-14, 21-10 win over Brooke Fleeman & Bristol Snider on the No. 3 court to clinch the match for New Mexico.
On the No. 2 court, Devanne Sours & Lise Rugland played to three sets vs. Peyton McDaniel & Jamie Jehne, but took control in the third set to tally a 21-9, 17-21, 15-6 victory.
Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey sealed the sweep for the Lobos, dispatching Danielle Ged & Samantha Cash 21-10, 21-18 on the 1’s court.
New Mexico 4, UAB 1
A couple of hours after picking up their first win, the Lobos returned to the sand for the first of two matches this weekend against tournament host UAB.
But, even with the break, New Mexico was still smoking hot.
“It was a very good match with UAB,” Nelson said. “We came out strong again, getting the 4’s and 5’s.”
Warren & Twitty continued their recent roll, scorching UAB’s Gabbi Moreno & Haley Jared 21-5, 21-11 on the No. 4 court to put UNM up 1-0 early.
This win was the pair’s seventh straight, which is tied for the second-longest pairs winning streak in program history. During their run, they’ve also cultivated an active streak of 11 straight set wins, good for fourth in program history. The duo moved to 14-5 on the season.
“Warren & Twitty played a great match to get the first point,” Nelson said. “Really strong play by both throughout.”
Victoria Spragg & Crappell were the next to finish for the Lobos as they edged Kalah Jones & Rachel Evans 21-19, 21-18 on the 5’s court.
In just their fourth match together all season, the tandem moved to 3-1 with the win, and, more importantly, gave New Mexico a 2-0 lead on the Blazers heading to the top flight of courts.
The Lobos managed to clinch the match on the switch to the second flight.
House & Kelsey nabbed their fifth straight win (and ninth in their last 11 matches) on the No. 1 court, defeating Erika Zembyla & Avery Hoven 21-16, 21-13 to secure the win for New Mexico.
“In round two, we got the third point quick with House & Kelsey really turning it up under the lights,” Nelson said. “They played really consistent ball.”
House & Kelsey have played some of their best volleyball over the last month, and currently own a 13-8 record. Both of their wins Friday were straight set sweeps, their eighth and ninth such wins since March 17.
However, UAB managed to scratch a point out on the 3’s court, where Doran & Baleto fell 21-15, 11-21, 15-12 to the Blazers’ Emily Martinez & Kenley Adams. It was just Doran & Baleto’s second loss in their last 10 matches and their first three-set loss since March 3.
New Mexico ended on the evening a high note as Sours & Rugland posted a come-from-behind win on the No. 2 court, rallying past Avei Logoleo & Katarina Jovicic 18-21, 21-13, 15-9.
“The last two went three and we got one and lost one,” Nelson said. “But we got stronger throughout both matches after slow starts.”
New Mexico 5, Lincoln Memorial 0
1. Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey (UNM) def. Danielle Ged & Samantha Cash (LMU) 21-10, 21-18
2. Lise Rugland & Devanne Sours (UNM) def. Peyton McDaniel & Jamie Jehne (LMU) 21-9, 17-21, 15-6
3. Marisa Doran & Eastyn Baleto (UNM) def. Brooke Fleeman & Bristol Snider (LMU) 21-14, 21-10
4. Carly Beddingfield & Chloe Crappell (UNM) def. Kiera Holland & Lindsey Nartker (LMU) 21-17, 14-21, 16-14
5. Julia Warren & Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Erica Whiteaker & Beka Wachob (LMU) 21-16, 21-8
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 3*, 2, 1
*Clinched dual win
New Mexico 4, UAB 1
1. Cassie House & Ashley Kelsey (UNM) def. Erika Zembyla & Avery Hoven (UAB) 21-16, 21-13
2. Lise Rugland & Devanne Sours (UNM) def. Avei Logoleo & Katarina Jovicic (UAB) 18-21, 21-13, 15-9
3. Emily Martinez & Kenley Adams (UAB) def. Marisa Doran & Eastyn Baleto (UNM) 21-15, 11-21, 15-12
4. Julia Warren & Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Gabbi Moreno & Haley Jared (UAB) 21-5, 21-11
5. Victoria Spragg & Chloe Crappell (UNM) def. Kalah Jones & Rachel Evans (UAB) 21-19, 21-18
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 1*, 3, 2
*Cinched dual win
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