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Saturday • 2 p.m. MT
Sunday • 9 a.m. MTHeading into the final weeks of the season, the streaking Lobos aren’t just looking to finish.
They’re looking to finish strongly.
The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team is aiming to build on its current run of success as it competes at the Javelina Battle on the Beach in the penultimate weekend of the regular season.
After stretching their hot streak to four wins in their five matches, the Lobos (6-10) will look to continue winning when they play Texas A&M-Kingsville (16-10), Abilene Christian (1-11), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (6-7) and St. Edward’s in Kingsville, Texas.
With just two more weeks remaining in the regular season, the Lobos can finish their 2018 campaign on a high note if they can keep playing at a high level.
New Mexico has played some of its best ball over the past two weeks and heads to the Javelina Beach Courts with a chance to even its season record after a challenging start to the year.
The Lobos, with seven newcomers and a dearth of experience, opened their season with a daunting slate that featured nine matches against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the national polls.
But, the team’s early trials have translated to success over the past few weeks of competition, as evidenced by UNM’s 4-1 record over the last two weeks.
This jaunt east is shaping up to be another productive weekend for New Mexico. Bolstered by its burgeoning consistency, the Lobos have had multiple partnerships rack up the wins during their recent run.
At the No. 2 position, Eastyn Baleto & Lauren Twitty have shined, winning five straight matches. The team leaders with a 9-4 record, Baleto & Twitty have powered the Lobos this season, providing key stability at the top of the lineup.
Maddie Irwin & Erin Martin have also contributed strong play from the No. 1 court, sitting with an 8-8 record. Although they stumbled their last time out at CSU Bakersfield, their leadership has paced UNM throughout the season.
However, New Mexico has been receiving contributions across the board during its run.
The Lobos’ No. 3 tandem of Chloe Crappell & Yasmin Tan has won six of their last eight matches together, including back-to-back three-set thrillers.
They’re the only duo with multiple three-set wins this season, with their latest helping clinch New Mexico’s road win at CSU Bakersfield last Friday.
Additionally, Mercedes Pacheco & Carly Beddingfield have shown sparks of strong play at the No. 4 slot, while the triumvirate of Abbey Willison, Kayla Long and Emily Nenninger have all won multiple matches at the No. 5 position.
At 8-8, Willison is tied for third on the team in individual wins and, along with Martin, sits tied for the third-most wins by a true freshman in program history.
This weekend, the Lobos will have to contend with three teams that will likely see them as the team to beat, including one squad that they’ve already beaten three times this season.
For the fourth time this season, New Mexico and Abilene Christian will square off in the sand. UNM has won the previous three meetings, contributing significantly to the Wildcats’ 1-11 record during their debut year.
ACU’s last action came in Albuquerque to end Match, were it dropped four matches, including two to the Lobos.
Texas A&M-Kingsville enters its home competition on a roll, having won the AVCA Division II National Championship last weekend at the AVCA Small College Beach Championships in Tavares, Florida.
The Javelinas are 16-10 on the season, but have lost just once to a non-Division I school while earning four wins over DI teams. UNM beat TAMUK 5-0 last March in the only meeting between the schools.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi owns a 6-7 record this season, and returns to the sand after a week off. The Islanders dropped three straight their last time out at the LSU Beach Invitational.
A&M-Corpus Christi has just three Division I wins this season, and fell to Texas A&M-Kingsville in March. This is the first meeting all-time between the Islanders and Lobos.
As for St. Edward’s, there’s not much to say as the Division II school from Austin, Texas, doesn’t officially sponsor beach volleyball.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboBeach on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of the Lobos!