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New Mexico at San Diego StateThe end of the season is on the horizon. The only thing in the way: five matches in seven days.
The University of New Mexico volleyball team opens a hectic final stretch of the season as it heads back on the road this week to face off against Fresno State on Thursday and San Diego State on Saturday.
Looking to finish their 2017 campaign on a high note, the Lobos’ first leg of their final week starts in Fresno against the Bulldogs (9-17 overall, 4-10 MW) before taking them to San Diego to face the Aztecs (14-13, 8-6).
UNM then returns home to play a non-conference tilt vs. UTEP on Sunday, before Senior Day vs. UNLV on Monday and its season finale at Air Force on Wednesday.
“We have an ambitious schedule this week,” head coach Jeff Nelson said. “It’s a little bit crazy, but I think it’ll be good for us. We’re young and get to play a lot of matches.”
This week’s road trip is key for New Mexico in the team’s pursuit of a top-half finish in the Mountain West.
Currently tied for sixth but just two games out of third place in the conference, the Lobos are still definitely in contention for a strong finish.
Only Colorado State, the MW champions, has pulled away from the pack with a spotless 14-0 league record. Wyoming is next at 9-5, followed by San Diego State and San Jose State at 8-6, Nevada at 7-7 and New Mexico, Utah State and Boise State at 6-8.
To climb the standings, the Lobos will need to get back to their hard-nosed, efficient volleyball that helped them win three in a row before a 3-1 setback to Nevada their last time out.
Despite that loss, however, UNM has been putting up good numbers, with solid performances across the board.
“We have really played better ball the last three weeks and hopefully that will continue and they’ll feed off of that,” Nelson said.
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| Lauren Twitty |
Senior Ashley Kelsey, playing her final week of volleyball for the Lobos, has dazzled this season, leading the team in digs 21 times this season — and each of the last eight matches.
She posted a masterful 31-dig showing against the Wolf Pack and sits fourth in program history in career digs with 1,462.
“Ashley’s had an amazing senior year, putting up big numbers — especially the last few weeks,” Nelson said. “31 digs in a volleyball match is a huge number.”
Kelsey has a chance to move further up the all-time list, just 42 digs behind third-place Sharon Browning.
The Lobos have also received strong showings from Lauren Twitty, who leads the MW in double-doubles, and Sarah Lobo, who’s steadily set up UNM’s attack.
Along with solid play from middle blockers Mariessa Carrasco and Victoria Spragg and rising freshman Hailey Rubino — who posted a career-best 18 kills vs. Nevada — New Mexico is in position to pick up some late wins.
Nonetheless, this week’s slate will present a challenge for the Lobos as they venture back onto the road.
Heading into the final weeks of the season Fresno State has dropped five straight matches, falling all the way to 4-10 and last in the Mountain West.
The Bulldogs, who were picked 10th in the MW Preseason Coaches’ Poll, have some solid wins over Utah State and San Diego State, but have been shut out three times during their current skid.
San Diego State has been a question mark in the Mountain West all season, despite sitting tied for third in the league with an 8-6 conference record.
But, the Aztecs, who had won seven of eight and five straight, dropped a five-set match to Air Force on Sunday, showing shades of their 0-3 conference start.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboVB on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!