Box Score
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico Lobos got plenty of action from their four seniors as the team hit .436 on the day as UNM cruised to a 25-17, 25-11, 25-15 win over Ft Lewis in the teams’ only exhibition of the season. UNM heads to Idaho to play in the Vandal Invitational next weekend.
UNM had it going on both ends with 43 kills and just nine errors and 11 blocks on the defensive end to go with holding the Skyhawks to just an .039 hitting percentage, including -.167 in game two.
Lauren Twitty led the way with 12 kills on just 18 attacks with only one error, a hitting percentage of .611 for the game. Senior Victoria Spragg was a stalwart on defense, with nine blocks on the day, eight assisted. UNM’s other three seniors all chipped in, with Carly Beddingfield knocking home six kills, Mariessa Carrasco with three on just five attempts, and libero Mercedes Pacheco registering seven assists and a team-high eight digs.
UNM was never really threatened at any point in the match, although it was 12-12 in the first game before UNM reeled off 13 of the last 18 points.
A key point for UNM was the play at setter, as UNM entered the year with a pair of freshmen in Sabrina Bianco and Jaclyn Inclan. They basically split time, with Bianco picking up 19 assists and Inclan 14, both showing that they can move the offense around the court. They each added six digs.
The Lobos now open the 2018 season at the Vandal Invitational in Moscow, Idaho. The Lobos will open against Grand Canyon on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and then the team faces Santa Clara at 10 a.m. on Saturday before facing off with host Idaho at 7 p.m. that night.
UNM’s open home matches will be for the Lobo Classic, which will see UNM take on Eastern Kentucky and Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, August 31 and then New Mexico State on September 1. All of those matches will be in Dreamstyle Arena.
NOTES: The only other freshmen to see action Saturday was Rachel Murphy … Lauren Twitty added two aces and Inclan one.
Lobos Cruise in Exh. Opener Over Ft. Lewis 3-0
