LOGAN, Utah — The University of New Mexico volleyball team earned its 200th win under head coach Jeff Nelson Thursday night as it went on the road and defeated Utah State in straight sets, 25-19, 25-21, 25-13.
Behind a stifling defensive effort and strong play both on offense and at the service line, the Lobos (12-12 overall, 4-7 Mountain West) evened their season record as they frustrated and outplayed the Aggies (12-11, 4-7) inside the Wayne Estes Center.
“There were a lot of positives, particularly on the defensive side,” Nelson said. “I thought the defense was superb. It’s great for the team to get a win on the road.”
In a match where both teams were seeking a win, the Lobos dominated virtually every facet of the game.
UNM outperformed USU in kills (43 to 24), hitting percentage (.185 to .009), assists (42 to 24), aces (5 to 4), digs (61 to 45) and blocks (14 to 9), pulling away midway through the first set en route to their ninth sweep of the season.
New Mexico’s defensive effort certainly played a significant role in Thursday’s affair, as UNM registered its season high in both digs and blocks.
The Lobos’ 61 digs are the most in a three-set match since logging 62 vs. Houston Baptist on September 19, 2014, while their 14 blocks are the most in a three-set match since posting 14 at San José State on October 3, 2015.
Ashley Kelsey (21 digs) and Lauren Twitty (career high-tying 18) led the way in the back row, teaming up for 39 of UNM’s digs. Victoria Spragg authored New Mexico’s hegemony at the net, matching a career best in both total blocks (nine) and block solos (two).
“Lauren and AK looked really good in the backcourt,” Nelson said. “Vic with nine blocks was outstanding.”
Mariessa Carrasco (five blocks), Twitty (four) and Carly Beddingfield (four) also chipped blocking.
On the offensive end, Twitty notched her 11th double-double of the season with a match-best 11 kills, adding a season-best three aces.
New Mexico gets the road sweep, defeating Utah State 3-0 for head coach Jeff Nelson’s 200th win at UNM! #GoLobos #UNMatched pic.twitter.com/3F8wmMtqYW
— New Mexico Volleyball (@UNMLoboVB) October 27, 2017
“Lauren looked good on the whole with kills, and digs and service aces,” Nelson said. “That was a great night for her.”
Carrasco (nine kills, .368 hitting percentage), Spragg (seven, .375), Hailey Rubino (seven) and Yasmin Tan (four, .667) also contributed offensively, with Sarah Lobo pacing the team with 39 assists.
New Mexico got out to a nice start, scoring the first two points of the match, before Utah State scored eight of the next 10 points for an 8-4 lead. However, the Lobos quickly stamped out the Aggies’ lead, reeling off an 8-0 run that started with five straight USU errors.
After Utah State cut the deficit to three points at 13-10, The Lobos effectively put the set out of reach as they took a 19-11 lead via a 6-1 run. USU would get no closer than five points, with UNM winning the set 25-19.
Twitty had five kills in the set, but New Mexico’s defense — or, rather, Utah State’s miscues — limited the hosts to a -.081 hitting percentage. USU had five kills in the first set, the fewest UNM had allowed in a set to 25 points since giving up five vs. Western Carolina on September 3, 2016.
The Lobos continued to roll in set two, taking a 5-1 lead on Utah State after a pair of Twitty kills and a trio of Aggie errors. USU would cut the lead down to two at 7-5, but UNM again would not yield, taking an 11-6 lead.
Utah State would remained relatively close with New Mexico the entire set, never falling down by more than five points. But the Lobos never gave up the lead, bookending a late 3-0 Aggie run with two identical runs during a key stretch. UNM claimed the set 25-21.
Twitty registered another five kills in the set, including the set winner, with Spragg (four kills) helping out.
Coming out of intermission, the Lobos didn’t let up, streaking to a 9-1 lead as USU committed five straight attack errors. The Aggies would make it a three-point game at 10-7 after posting a 7-1 run, but they would get no closer as an 8-0 UNM run turned a 15-11 set into a 23-11 set.
New Mexico would win the final frame 25-13, as Beddingfield and Tan notched four kills each and Kelsey logged 10 digs. The Lobos hit .306 in the set, while holding USU to a .000 rate.
Thursday’s match was the first time UNM held an opponent to under a .100 hitting percentage since September 8 vs. UT Arlington (-.067), and the first time the team held a conference foe to a hitting percentage under .010 since that match at San José State in 2015.
The Lobos return to action on Saturday as they cap their two-game road trip with a noon showdown vs. Boise State in Boise.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboVB on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!