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New Mexico at NevadaBack on the road, the Lobos are looking to get back on top.
The University of New Mexico volleyball team kicks off the month of October this week with another Mountain West road trip, venturing west to play Nevada on Thursday and San José State on Saturday.
As the Lobos (10-6 overall, 2-2 MW) head into the second half of their 32-game schedule, they’ll look to build some consistent momentum as they take on the Wolf Pack (4-12, 2-2) and Spartans (11-4, 3-1).
“I think they’re going to be two really tough matches,” freshman Hailey Rubino said, “but I think we have a lot of momentum coming off the win from Utah State this past weekend. I’m really excited to go up there and play.”
Currently sitting at 2-2 in the conference, the Lobos have shown sparks of great talent and ability, but they’ve yet to fully sustain it from match to match in the parity-driven MW.
Two weeks ago, UNM fought in a loss to nationally ranked Colorado State before thoroughly dominating Wyoming. Last week, the Lobos struggled at home vs. Boise State before breaking Utah State’s five-game winning streak in a sweep.
But now that New Mexico has taken on some of the top teams in the league, they’ll look to create some momentum this week.
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UNM and Nevada are both tied for fifth in the MW standings, with the Lobos slotted fifth and the Wolf Pack seventh based off of overall record. San José State sits tied with Utah State in third.
Picking up wins now will pay dividends later in the season, especially as the youthful Lobos jockey for position in the league.
As it’s been for much of the season, New Mexico’s success is predicated on the performance of their veterans.
Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Twitty has been the offensive catalyst for UNM, ranking third in the league in kills/set (3.92).
In matches where Twitty has scored at least 15 kills, the Lobos are undefeated, including their bounce-back win over Utah State last Saturday.
However, redshirt junior middle blockers Mariessa Carrasco and Victoria Spragg have both been playing strongly, with Carrasco ranking fourth in the Mountain West in hitting percentage (.338) and Spragg leading the team in blocks.
Setter Carson Heilborn has also shown flashes running the offense. She ranks third in the MW in assists per set.
Additionally, Ashley Kelsey and Mercedes Pacheco have both put together solid numbers in the back row, with Rubino also playing well as she continues her return from injury.
The most significant key for New Mexico at this point in the season is putting together complete team performances, similar to the team’s matches vs. Wyoming and Utah State, and maintaining that level of play over multiple matches.
The Lobos have hit over .250 in consecutive matches just once this season, but have reached that mark eight times overall.
This week’s slate, however, gives New Mexico opportunity to build that consistency.
UNM has never lost to Nevada in nine matches, and holds a 13-4 record in its series vs. San José State.
After posting a 19-11 record in 2016, Nevada enters October with a 4-12 record. However, the Wolf Pack are 2-2 in Mountain West play, having won their first two league matches over San Jose State and Air Force.
Nevada did drop its last two contest, losing 3-1 at Fresno State and 3-0 at San Diego State last week.
San José State has probably been one of the bigger surprises of the season so far, owning an 11-4 record heading into the seventh week of the season. The Spartans have only lost to Kansas, Idaho, UC Riverside and Nevada, and have started 3-1 in Mountain West play.
SJSU has earned a pair of five-set wins over Air Force and San Diego State, plus a 3-1 win over Fresno State.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboVB on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!