ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Let’s go to the beach.
The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team opened up its fourth season of competition on Monday, January 29, as the Lobos held their first practices of the 2018 campaign at Lucky 66 Bowl.
Under clear skies and a warm sun, the team kicked off a new year as it ventured back into the sand. This first practice, which featured almost exclusively the Lobos’ beach-only players, opens about three weeks of practice before the beginning of the regular season.
The entire beach squad, including crossover players that are currently training indoors, will combine in the coming weeks as the team opens its season with at the Arizona Invitational in Tucson, Arizona, on March 2-3.
Last season, New Mexico, under head coach Jeff Nelson and assistants Pauline Manser and Daniel Foo registered its second straight season of 17 wins, compiling a 17-10 record behind an upperclassmen-laden roster.
Four players return from the 2017 squad, including the all-time individual wins leader at New Mexico, Eastyn Baleto. Winner of exactly 50 matches over her first three years in Albuquerque, Baleto leads a team that features veterans Chloe Crappell, Carly Beddingfield and Emily Nenninger.
The Lobos welcome in six freshman to their ranks, including Erin Martin and five crossover players in Hailey Rubino, Yasmin Tan, Abbey Willison, Kayla Long and Morgan Schreckler.
Maddie Irwin, a four-year standout for UNM’s women’s soccer program, also joins the Lobos’ beach team.
New Mexico’s season begins with two weekends in Arizona before heading to the east coast to participate in the Stetson/Hickory Point Lake Bash. The Lobos then return to Albuquerque for their only home tournament of the season before closing out the year with a trio of road trips.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboBeach on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of the Lobos!