ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team closed out its only homestand of the 2018 season with split, falling to Arizona State before defeating Abilene Christian in its Senior Day match.
The Lobos (5-10) continued the strong play at home that has marked the four-year history of the program, earning a win over the Wildcats (1-11) after losing to the Sun Devils (8-10) in just the third home loss in program history.
Over the first four years of the program, New Mexico has compiled a 13-3 record in Albuquerque, with 12 wins coming in succession.
The Lobos’ home winning streak started against Colorado State on April 18, 2015 and continued through their win over Colorado Mesa on Friday evening.
And while the team’s winning streak ended, New Mexico still showed well as a number of pairs earned multiple wins on the weekend.
All three of UNM’s seniors — Eastyn Baleto, Chloe Crappell and Maddie Irwin — all won at least three matches during the team’s four matches this weekend at Lucky 66 Bowl.
The partnership of Baleto & Lauren Twitty went undefeated over the four matches, while the duos of Crappell & Yasmin Tan and Irwin & Erin Martin all went 3-1.
In fact, every Lobo that played multiple matches won at least twice on the weekend, which also featured wins over Colorado Mesa and Abilene Christian on Friday.
New Mexico returns to action next Friday as the Lobos head to California to play CSU Bakersfield at 1:30 p.m. MT.
Arizona State 4, New Mexico 1
With its 12-match home-winning streak on the line, it would take a team that was receiving votes in the national polls to end New Mexico’s run.
Arizona State came into the match ranked right outside the top 20 in the AVCA Coaches Poll and DiG Magazine Poll, and proved to be a match for the Lobos’ home momentum.
Despite more gallantry from Baleto & Twitty, UNM couldn’t stop the Sun Devils, falling 4-1 to open Saturday’s action.
Baleto & Twitty, playing from the No. 2 court, registered New Mexico’s lone point in the match as they captured a 21-19, 21-12 win over ASU’s Kara Woodward/Sydney Palmer.
That was the only point Arizona State surrendered all weekend, and gave Baleto & Twitty a third straight win.
Elsewhere, the Lobos didn’t have the same luck. At the No. 1 position, Irwin & Martin dropped a 21-14, 24-22 decision to ASU’s Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera, while Crappell & Tan fell 21-15, 21-17 to Ellyson Lundberg/Katelyn Carballo.
On the No. 4 court, Carly Beddingfield & Mercedes Pacheco lost 21-9, 21-7 to Katie Cross/Cierra Flood, with Kayla Long & Abbey Willison falling 21-16, 21-12 to Samantha Plaster/Katie Baldwin.
New Mexico 5, Abilene Christian 0
The Lobos returned to the sand courts at Lucky 66 Bowl a few hours later to finish their home tournament and honor their senior class.
And, in their final home beach volleyball matches, the seniors delivered, guiding New Mexico a sweep of ACU.
Baleto & Twitty, moved up to the No. 1 position, defeated the Wildcat’s Jacey Smith/Kendall Bosse 21-14, 21-16 for their fourth win of the weekend.
The Lobo duo owns an 8-4 record on the season, tied with Irwin & Martin for tops on the team.
Irwin & Martin claimed their eighth win together this season in a 21-9, 21-15 victory over Lauren Walker/Brooke Riley on the No. 2 court.
Crappell also chipped in a win in her home finale, teaming up with Tan to top Katelyn Mueller/Eighmy Dobbins in a closely fought 21-13, 23-25, 15-13 match on the No. 3 court.
At the 4’s, Beddingfield & Pacheco knocked off Kennedy Shelstead/Amy Weiss 21-17, 21-11 to avenge a loss to the same pair on Friday.
Long & Willison added New Mexico’s final point, capturing the 5’s court 21-8, 21-14 over Paris Cosley/Sofia Resendiz.
With the win, the Lobos move to 3-0 all-time against Abilene Christian.
Arizona State 4, New Mexico 1
1. Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera (ASU) def. Maddie Irwin/Erin Martin (UNM) 21-14, 24-22
2. Eastyn Baleto/Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Kara Woodward/Sydney Palmer (ASU) 21-19, 21-12
3. Ellyson Lundberg/Katelyn Carballo (ASU) def. Chloe Crappell/Yasmin Tan (UNM) 21-15, 21-17
4. Katie Cross/Cierra Flood (ASU) def. Carly Beddingfield/Mercedes Pacheco (UNM) 21-9, 21-7
5. Samantha Plaster/Katie Baldwin (ASU) def. Kayla Long/Abbey Willison (UNM) 21-16, 21-12
New Mexico 5, Abilene Christian 01. Eastyn Baleto/Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Jacey Smith/Kendall Bosse (ACU) 21-14, 21-16
2. Maddie Irwin/Erin Martin (UNM) def. Lauren Walker/Brooke Riley (ACU) 21-9, 21-15
3. Chloe Crappell/Yasmin Tan (UNM) def. Katelyn Mueller/Eighmy Dobbins (ACU) 21-13, 23-25, 15-13
4. Carly Beddingfield/Mercedes Pacheco (UNM) def. Kennedy Shelstead/Amy Weiss (ACU) 21-17, 21-11
5. Kayla Long/Abbey Willison (UNM) def. Paris Cosley/Sofia Resendiz (ACU) 21-8, 21-14
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