KINGSVILLE, Texas — The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team split its Saturday slate as the Lobos opened up the Javelina Battle on the Beach against Abilene Christian and host Texas A&M-Kingsville.
To open up the penultimate week of the regular season, the Lobos (7-11) swept the Wildcats (1-12) in their first match at the Javelina Beach Courts before falling 3-2 in a tight contest against the host Javelinas (18-10).
Although New Mexico fell short against Texas A&M-Kingsville, the reigning AVCA Division II National Champions, the Lobos have still won five of their last seven matches.
Additionally, a handful of pairs continued their strong play, including Eastyn Baleto & Lauren Twitty winning their sixth and seventh matches in a row.
The tandem of Maddie Irwin & Erin Martin also won twice on Saturday for its sixth and seventh wins in its last nine matches.
The Lobos wrap up the Javelina Battle on the Beach on Sunday as they play St. Edward’s at 9 a.m. MT and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 11:30 a.m. MT.
New Mexico 5, Abilene Christian 0
The Lobos started off the weekend with a rematch vs. a familiar foe as they faced off against Abilene Christian for the fourth time this season.
And, like in the previous three meetings, UNM emerged victorious.
New Mexico won 5-0 on Saturday, moving to 4-0 all-time against ACU. It’s the team’s second-most wins against a single opponent, behind seven against Colorado Mesa.
The Lobos opened the match vs. the Wildcats with a pair of straight-set wins on the Nos. 4 and 5 courts before capturing the top three courts.
Carly Beddingfield & Mercedes Pacheco started the scoring on the No. 4 court, as they teamed up for a dominant 21-7, 21-9 win over ACU’s Brooke Riley & Lauren Walker.
At the 5’s, Abbey WIllison & Kayla Long added a team point, winning 21-13, 21-18 over Sofia Resendiz & Paris Cosley for their third win over that pair this season.
After the switch to the top-seeded courts, New Mexico continued to fire on all cylinders.
Irwin & Martin clinched the match with a 21-10, 21-11 win over Eighmy Dobbins & Katelyn Mueller on the No. 1 court, while Baleto & Twitty continued their tear as they won their sixth straight in a 21-15, 21-11 victory over Jacey Smith & Kendall Bosse on the No. 2 court.
Chloe Crappell & Yasmin Tan sealed the sweep, rebounding from a first-set loss to defeat ACU’s Amy Weiss & Kennedy Shelstead 22-24, 21-11, 15-6 at the No. 3 position.
Texas A&M-Kingsville 3, New Mexico 2
The Lobos didn’t have much time to celebrate their win against Abilene Christian as they matched up against the host Javelinas immediately following.
Winners of last week’s AVCA Small College Beach Championships, Texas A&M-Kingsville came into the match winners of five straight and as the reigning AVCA Division II National Champions.
That hot streak proved to be a match for New Mexico’s run of success as the Lobos fell 3-2.
Despite winning the top two courts, the Lobos were stymied down the lineup, dropping a couple of exceptionally close sets on the Nos. 4 and 5 courts.
Nonetheless, Baleto & Twitty seized their seventh win in a row, claiming a 21-15, 21-17 win over the Javelinas’ Macy Berg & Madison Brabham on the No. 2 court. Baleto & Twitty, now 11-4 on the season, have the third-longest pairs winning streak in program history.
Baleto owns part of the the program record of 14 straight wins, while Twitty shares the second-best total of 10.
Irwin & Martin also had a productive showing, earning their seventh win in the last nine matches with a 21-18, 21-12 defeat of Gabby Atchley & Whitney Walker at the No. 1 position. The Lobo duo moves to 10-8 on the year.
However, New Mexico would get no further on the scoreboard.
At the No. 3 slot, Crappell & Tan fell 21-8, 21-12 to Gabby Atchley & Whitney Walker, while Pacheco & Beddingfield dropped two close sets on the No. 4 court, 23-21, 22-20 to Texas A&M Kingsville’s Haley Hutchinson & Kyra Henderson.
Emily Nenninger & Willison also put up a fight at the No. 5 position, eventually losing 21-16, 23-21 to Loren Washington & Madeline Sims.
New Mexico 5, Abilene Christian 0
1. Erin Martin/Maddie Irwin (UNM) def. Eighmy Dobbins/Katelyn Mueller (ACU) 21-10, 21-11
2. Eastyn Baleto/Lauren Twitty (UNM) def. Jacey Smith/Kendall Bosse (ACU) 21-5, 21-12
3. Yasmin Tan/Chloe Crappell (UNM) def. Amy Weiss/Kennedy Shelstead (ACU) 22-24, 21-11, 15-6
4. Carly Beddingfield/Mercedes Pacheco (UNM) def. Brooke Riley/Lauren Walker (ACU) 21-7, 21-9
5. Kayla Long/Abbey Willison (UNM) def. Sofia Resendiz/Paris Cosley (ACU) 21-13, 21-18
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 1, 2, 3
Texas A&M-Kingsville 3, New Mexico 2
1. Maddie Irwin/Erin Martin (UNM) def. Gabby Atchley/Whitney Walker (TAMUK) 21-18, 21-12
2. Lauren Twitty/Eastyn Baleto (UNM) def. Macy Berg/Madison Brabham (TAMUK) 21-15, 21-17
3. Tenley Housler/Erin Umbel (TAMUK) def. Yasmin Tan/Chloe Crappell (UNM) 21-8, 21-12
4. Haley Hutchinson/Kyra Henderson (TAMUK) def. Mercedes Pacheco/Carly Beddingfield (UNM) 23-21, 22-20
5. Loren Washington/Madeline Sims (TAMUK) def. Abbey Willison/Emily Nenninger (UNM) 21-16, 23-21
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
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