PHOENIX — The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team won its second straight match as it finished off its weekend in Phoenix on a high note with a 3-2 victory over Grossmont College on Saturday.
After splitting its Friday slate vs. host Grand Canyon and Abilene Christian, the Lobos (2-4) secured its second victory of the season as it knocked off the previously undefeated Griffins (7-1) out of the California Community College Athletic Association.
Coming off a season-opening stretch of four matches against nationally ranked teams, the youthful Lobos took care of business in their last two matches.
Playing with a roster that includes seven newcomers — including five with starting spots in the lineup — New Mexico has battled during the first two weeks of the season.
UNM finally broke through against Abilene Christian on Friday night, and backed that up with a solid win over a strong team in Grossmont at the GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium.
Despite playing in the California Community College Athletic Association, Grossmont is no stranger to Division I-level beach volleyball. The Griffins topped Abilene Christian, a Division I team from the Southland Conference, later on Saturday.
But, the Lobos proved to be up for the task, relying on a mix of veterans and newcomers for the victory.
The veteran tandem of Eastyn Baleto & Chloe Crappell, the only four-year players on the team, posted some productive results, including a gusty 21-6, 18-21, 15-10 win over Grossmont’s Christina Barrameda & Aofiaolela Faa’agi on the No. 2 court.
Partnering up for the first time ever on Friday, the pair was the only one to give a serious challenge vs. No. 10/12 Grand Canyon while also adding wins in both of the Lobos’ team victories.
Additionally, the duo of Erin Martin & Maddie Irwin continued to lead UNM from the top-seeded No. 1 court, posting a 21-12, 21-11 triumph over Khalia Jordan & Felicia Marshall.
The only pairing to stay the same over the first two weeks of the season, they now improve to 3-3 on the season.
Carly Beddingfield & Abbey Willison added the Lobos’ final score as they captured the No. 4 court 21-16, 17-21, 15-12 over the Griffins’ Ashlee Goycoochea & Maiya Lopez.
New Mexico also put up strong fights on the 3’s and 5’s courts.
On the No. 3 court, Yasmin Tan & Mercedes Pacheco fell 21-9, 21-5 to Grossmont’s Desiree Elizondo & Makayla Tam, while Emily Nenninger & Kayla Long dropped a 21-16, 21-16 contest to Laurie Orbita & Jamie Sakasegawa on the No. 5 court.
The Lobos return to action next weekend as they travel to Florida for the Stetson/Hickory Point Lake Bash in Tavares, Florida. There, UNM will face Houston Baptist, Stetson and Florida International on Friday and UNC Wilmington and the College of Charleston on Saturday.
New Mexico 3, Grossmont 2
1. Erin Martin & Maddie Irwin (UNM) def. Khalia Jordan & Felicia Marshall (GC) 21-12, 21-11
2. Eastyn Baleto & Chloe Crappell (UNM) def. Christina Barrameda & Aofiaolela Faa’agi (GC) 21-6, 18-21, 15-10
3. Desiree Elizondo & Makayla Tam (GC) def. Yasmin Tan & Mercedes Pacheco (UNM) 21-9, 21-5
4. Carly Beddingfield & Abbey Willison (UNM) def. Ashlee Goycoochea & Maiya Lopez (GC) 21-16, 17-21, 15-12
5. Laurie Orbita & Jamie Sakasegawa (GC) def. Emily Nenninger & Kayla Long (UNM) 21-16, 21-16
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