Volleyball Adds Torres to Roster
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico volleyball team has added Hayley Torres to the 2020 roster, as announced by Head Coach Jon Newman-Gonchar.
“We are incredibly excited to have Hayley join our team,” Newman-Gonchar said. “She has a polished skill set and a hunger to keep getting better. Hayley is a proud New Mexican, and one that is honored to represent her team, her university, and her state with amazing pride!”
Torres is a local addition from Los Lunas, N.M. and spent the last two years at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, Calif.
A versatile player who can play the outside hitter or defensive specialist position, Torres logged 572 kills (3.16 k/s), 495 digs (2.73 d/s), 64 total blocks (14 solo), 54 service aces, 38 assists and accumulated 665.0 points (3.7 pts/s) in 181 sets played throughout 53 matches.
Most recently, the newest Lobo recorded 347 kills (3.65 k/s), 283 digs (2.98 d/s), 37 total blocks (nine solo), 32 service aces, and 402.0 points (4.2 pts/s) for her best season as a Spartan. She registered double figures in kills in 20 matches, eclipsing 20 kills in three, with a career-best 23 at San Diego Mesa.
In 2018, she recorded double-digit kills in 10 matches and 20-plus kills in two, with her season high of 22. In the same match, Torres also tallied a season-high five total blocks, two solo, in a five-set win over Moorpark on Nov. 20.
In 2018, Torres was honored by the San Diego Sports Association as one of the November Stars of the Month.
During her time at MiraCosta, Torres was named CCCAA All-State First Team in 2019, CCCAA All-Southern Region First Team (2019) and CCCAA All-Conference First Team (2018 and 2019).
Academically, she made the Dean’s List three times with a 3.8 grade-point-average.
While at Los Lunas High School, Torres was a four-year academic letter winner with a 4.0 grade-point-average and was a member of the National Honor Society and class council. On the court, she earned first team state, first team metro and first team district in both volleyball and basketball and was a two-time volleyball 5A state champion (2015 and 2017) and a two-time 5A state champion in basketball (2015 and 2018).
“The reason I chose to play at The University of New Mexico is because New Mexico is my home,” Torres said. “It has always been my dream to represent my state and hometown Los Lunas, N.M. on the volleyball court. I am thrilled to be playing the game that I love in the land that I love. I’m proud to be a member of Lobo Nation.”
Her father, Nick Torres, graduated from UNM.
Torres is the second signee for Newman-Gonchar and staff, joining Kali Wolf who signed in November.
The Lobos will be back in Fall 2020, but this Spring will be hosting a five-team tournament at the Johnson Center April 4 and a match against New Mexico Highlands on April 10. Both events are open to the public.