AVCA Coaches Poll | DiG Magazine Poll
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team received votes in the preseason editions of both the AVCA Collegiate Beach Coaches Poll and the DiG Magazine Beach Volleyball Poll that were released this week.
Following up on its second straight season of 17 wins, New Mexico opens the 2018 season receiving votes in both major national beach volleyball polls, which list 20 teams each. Unofficially, the Lobos rank 24th in the AVCA poll and 25th in the DiG Magazine poll.
Last season, New Mexico finished its 2017 campaign receiving votes in both polls.
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 (players who also play indoor volleyball) 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.
In both polls, USC, winners of the first two NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships, is the preseason No. 1 for the second straight year, followed by No. 2 Pepperdine and No. 3 UCLA.
The AVCA poll lists Florida State as No. 4 and Hawai’i as No. 5, with the DiG Magazine poll switching both teams’ rankings.
This season, the Lobos will play 10 matches against teams ranked or receiving votes in the polls.
The Lobos open their season next Friday at the Arizona Invitational in Tucson, as they play No. 9/8 Arizona, No. 20/17 Loyola Marymount and No. 19/18 Washington.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboBeach on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of the Lobos!