ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team opened its only homestand of the 2018 season with a pair of victories on Friday, defeating Colorado Mesa and Abilene Christian.
Playing at Lucky 66 Bowl in Albuquerque, the Lobos (4-9) extended their home-winning streak to 12 straight wins as they topped the Mavericks (2-10) and the Wildcats (1-9) behind strong play across the board.
After a opening its season with three weeks of competition against ranked foes, New Mexico took advantage of its home slate, posting back-to-back wins for the second time this year.
Although most of UNM’s young roster wasn’t around for the start of the team’s home-winning streak, this group of Lobos proved up to the task of continuing it.
New Mexico won nine of the 10 courts played on Friday in straight sets, largely dominating in the team’s first home action.
Along with its win over ACU, UNM earned its first sweep of 2018 in an efficient victory over CMU.
The Lobos will get to continue their streak on Saturday as they host Arizona State at 11 a.m. and Abilene Christian at 3 p.m.
New Mexico 5, Colorado Mesa 0
The Lobos opened their day strongly, continuing not only their home-winning streak but also their winning streak over Colorado Mesa.
In the seventh meeting all-time between the two schools, New Mexico won its seventh straight matchup, corralling the Mavericks by a 5-0 score.
The win was also the team’s 11th straight in Albuquerque, which includes five victories over CMU.
UNM had little trouble in Friday’s opener, winning every court in straight sets.
At the top-seeded No. 1 court, Maddie Irwin & Erin Martin defeated the Mavericks’ Katie Scherr & Taylor Woods 21-11, 23-21 for their third-straight win together.
Eastyn Baleto & Lauren Twitty added a point at the No. 2 court, winning 21-9, 25-23 over Hana Peterman & Megan Gianinetti.
At the No. 3 position, Chloe Crappell & Yasmin Tan claimed a 21-13, 21-16 win against CMU’s Samantha Ritter & Kasie Gilfert.
Carly Beddingfield & Mercedes Pacheco chipped in a 21-18, 21-10 win over Lindy Dixon & Hailey Crane on the No. 4 court, while Emily Nenninger & Abbey Willison won 21-16, 21-14 over Colorado Mesa’s Natalee Todd & Ara Norwood.
New Mexico 4, Abilene Christian 1
After a short break, the Lobos were back in action, defending their home-winning streak in definitive fashion against the Wildcats.
Like in the first meeting between the two teams three weeks ago in Phoenix, New Mexico all but controlled the match, earning points on four courts to secure the 4-1 victory and push its home-winning streak to 12 straight wins.
Irwin & Martin captured their fourth straight win as a tandem, knocking off Jacey Smith & Kendall Bosse 21-12, 21-17 on the No. 1 court. Irwin & Martin moved to 7-6 overall on the season.
Additionally, Baleto & Twitty continued their winning ways on the No. 2 court with a 21-11, 21-11 triumph over Lauren Walker & Brooke Riley.
At the No. 3 position, Crappell & Tan registered their third win a row as they defeated Katelyn Mueller & Eighmy Dobbins 21-19, 21-14.
Kayla Long & Willison also added a win at the 5’s, winning 21-10, 21-14 over Paris Cosley & Sofia Resendiz.
The Lobos only dropped one point in the match, as Pacheco & Beddingfield fell 21-19, 9-21, 15-13 to Kennedy Shelstead & Amy Weiss in a closely contested dual.
On the exhibition court, Long also teamed up with Nenninger to deliver a 21-14, 21-23, 15-13 win over Lillian Drever & Marybeth Sandercox.
New Mexico 5, Colorado Mesa 0
1. Maddie Irwin/Erin Martin (UNM) def. Katie Scherr/Taylor Woods (CMU) 21-11, 23-21
2. Eastyn Baleto/Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Hana Peterman/Megan Gianinetti (CMU) 21-9, 25-23
3. Chloe Crappell/Yasmin Tan (UNM) def. Samantha Ritter/Kasie Gilfert (CMU) 21-13, 21-16
4. Carly Beddingfield/Mercedes Pacheco (UNM) def. Lindy Dixon/Hailey Crane (CMU) 21-18, 21-10
5. Emily Nenninger/Abbey Willison (UNM) def. Natalee Todd/Ara Norwood (CMU) 21-16, 21-14
New Mexico 4, Abilene Christian 1
1. Maddie Irwin/Erin Martin (UNM) def. Jacey Smith/Kendall Bosse (ACU) 21-12, 21-17
2. Eastyn Baleto/Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Lauren Walker/Brooke Riley (ACU) 21-11, 21-11
3. Chloe Crappell/Yasmin Tan (UNM) def. Katelyn Mueller/Eighmy Dobbins (ACU) 21-19, 21-14
4. Kennedy Shelstead/Amy Weiss (ACU) def. Carly Beddingfield/Mercedes Pacheco (UNM) 21-19, 9-21, 15-13
5. Kayla Long/Abbey Willison (UNM) def. Paris Cosley/Sofia Resendiz (ACU) 21-10, 21-14
Ex. Emily Nenninger/Kayla Long (UNM) def. Lillian Drever/Marybeth Sandercox (ACU) 21-14, 21-23, 15-13
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