ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico volleyball team has signed three student-athletes to NLIs for the 2019 class on Wednesday, as announced by head coach Jeff Nelson.
Continuing their academic and athletic career at UNM will be Fanny Skogsfors, Kaitlynn Biassou and Uxue Guereca, each filling a different position and need for the Lobos.
“We went after really strong arms and experience this year and were very fortunate to land some really exciting players for the program,” said Nelson. “This class is as strong as any class we have signed and will really raise the bar for us immediately.”
From Reftele, Sweden, Skogsfors is a 6-foot-4 middle blocker with extensive national team experience. Previously, Skogsfors competed on the U18 Swedish National Team, the U20 Swedish National Team and the Senior Swedish National Team. She has also competed in the 2018 North European Championship. Her U19 team won the 2018 U19 NEVZA Championship after placing second in the championship in 2017. Skogsfors attends Allebergsgymnasiet and has played for Gislaved Volleyball Klubb at the club level.
“Fanny is a big middle that comes in with a high level of experience and some international experience under her belt,” said the 12th-year head coach. “She has played for Sweden and her size is a great fit for us this year with losing Victoria Spragg to graduation. I think she can step in to our system and be a producer right away. Academically, she is very strong as well, which fits with the philosophy of the program.”
An opposite attacker from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Guereca is another international player, who has competed for the Mexican National Team since she was 15-years-old. She set the points scoring record for the U18 World Championships in 2017 and was the best scorer at the U23 Women’s Pan-American Cup in 2018. At the NORCECA U20 Women’s Continental Championship in 2018, the 5-foot-9 attacker was the best opposite and best scorer. Guereca competed in the 2018 World Championships in Japan. While competing with the Spartans Volleyball Club, she has also experienced great success, having finished second at the national championships in 2015 and 2018 and winning in 2016 and 2017.
On the signing of Guereca, Nelson commented that, “I am thrilled that Uxue has decided to be a Lobo! She has a wealth of experience playing for Mexico and is outstanding at both the right and left pins. Her big jump and unusually strong arm will provide for a lot of exciting moments. Experience-wise, she has played in both junior national world championships and the World Championships. She has the ability to score points and is extremely dynamic.”
A native of Reno, Nev., Biassou is a 5-foot-9 outside attacker who lettered four years in volleyball and basketball at Reno High School. She was named first-team all-state in volleyball and basketball and was also named the Nevada Volleyball Player of the Year. Her high school team finished state runner-up in Nevada in 2016 and won regionals in 2016 and 2018. She currently has 289 kills this season. Biassou intends to major in business at UNM.
“Kaitlynn is another big jumper with a big arm swing that can score points,” said Nelson. “She has had an outstanding high school and club career and is extremely physical. She has the ability to play on either side of the court and have success.”