FRESNO, Calif. — The University of New Mexico volleyball team dropped a three-set match to Fresno State Thursday evening, falling by set scores of 25-15, 25-18, 25-23 inside the Save Mart Center.
Opening a season-closing stretch of five matches in seven days, the Lobos (14-14 overall, 6-9 Mountain West) posted similar numbers to the Bulldogs (10-17, 5-10) in kills and digs, but struggled to get things going against their conference foes.
As a team, New Mexico equalled Fresno State with 29 digs, and finished with just one fewer kill, with 36 to the Bulldogs’ 37. UNM also performed similarly in assists, with 33 to Fresno State’ 35.
However, the Lobos committed more errors in the match, with 20 attack errors and eight receipt errors to Fresno State’s 11 and one, respectively. New Mexico hit .180 in the match (36 kills-20 errors-89 attempts) compared to the Bulldogs’ .317 rate (37-11-82).
Lauren Twitty finished with the team high in both kills (nine) and digs (nine), with Ashley Kelsey also tallying nine digs.
Victoria Spragg, Yasmin Tan and Mariessa Carrasco all chipped in seven kills each, with all hitting over .333 — .400 for Spragg (7-1-15), .375 for Tan (7-1-16) and .333 for Carrasco (7-3-12). Danica Rowan posted two errorless kills on four attempts, as well.
Sarah Lobo finished with a match-best 28 assists.
Carrasco added three blocks, with Twitty and Spragg netting two apiece as UNM finished with five total blocks.
Fresno State jumped out a 14-3 lead in the first set, with the Lobos getting no closer than eight points at 19-11. Despite a 3-0 run late in the set to make it 24-15, UNM fell 25-15.
The second set started more evenly, with the Lobos staying within two points of the Bulldogs for much of the affair. But, down just three at 19-16, New Mexico gave up a 5-0 run, putting Fresno State up 23-16. The Bulldogs would win 25-18.
Much like the prior set, the third frame saw neither team build much of a lead early on. New Mexico even managed a number of ties, including one at 9-9, but Fresno State reeled off four unanswered for a 13-9 lead.
The Bulldogs would eventually build their lead to six at 21-15, but UNM posted an 8-3 run — with three points coming on Fresno State match points — to come to within two points at 24-23. However, the Bulldogs ended New Mexico’s late surge, winning the set 25-23.
The Lobos return to action on Saturday, playing a 2 p.m. MT match at San Diego State before returning to Albuquerque to play UTEP Sunday and UNLV on Monday.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboVB on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!