PHOENIX — The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team split its slate on Friday as it fell 5-0 to No. 10/12 Grand Canyon before capturing its first win of the season in a 4-1 victory over Abilene Christian.
After capping a season-opening stretch of four matches against nationally ranked teams — including the host Lopes (3-4) — the youthful Lobos (1-4) finally broke through as they knocked off the Wildcats (1-5) at the GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium.
This week’s docket, which concludes Saturday vs. Grossmont College, is part of a run of four weeks to open the season where the Lobos played at least one nationally ranked opponent.
Grand Canyon entered the week ranked 10th in the DiG Magazine Poll and 12th in the AVCA Poll, while UNM is receiving votes in the AVCA Poll.
However, despite playing with a young and shuffled lineup on Friday, the Lobos were able to put together a strong team performance against Abilene Christian as it continues to open up the 2018 season.
New Mexico’s second-seeded tandem of Eastyn Baleto & Chloe Crappell had the most success on Friday, earning one of the Lobos’ points vs. ACU while also pushing GCU to three sets on the No. 2 court.
The team’s only four-year veterans, they teamed up for the first time ever to lead the Lobos.
Additionally, Maddie Irwin & Erin Martin scored a point vs. Abilene Christian from the No. 1 position, pushing their season record to 2-3.
Elsewhere, Emily Nenninger & Kayla Long scored against Abilene Christian on the No. 4 court, while Abbey Willison & Carly Beddingfield chipped in a score vs. the Wildcats from the No. 5 slot.
UNM is back in action at 11 a.m. MT vs. Grossmont College, a team out of the California Community College Athletic Association.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboBeach on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of the Lobos!