ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Before the 2022 season officially gets underway, the Lobo volleyball team is hosting New Mexico Highlands in an exhibition on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. in The Pit.
Admission is free and there will be a post-match clinic for kids in the 8th grade and below on the court following the match.
Saturday will be the first opportunity for fans to watch the 2022 team, which features nine returners including all starters from a season ago.
The Lobos added depth at every position, with a graduate transfer setter in Anilee Sher and a freshman setter in Madison Blanco that will compliment Melissa Walden, and a freshman libero in Kailee Gims to add support to senior Alena Moldan. At the middle blocker position, UNM added two freshmen in Albuquerque native Sydney Moore, who stands at the tallest on the team at 6-3, and international experience in Lea Zurlinden, who played on the Swiss national team. While an already strong group, the outside hitters gained more options in freshmen Arianna Jamerson and Lauryn Payne, with Jamerson another local Lobo from Rio Rancho.
UNM enters the season coming off of a fifth-place finish in the MW, 20-10 on the season and 11-7 in conference. This season, the Lobos were projected to maintain their fifth-place result as voted on by the MW coaches in the preseason poll.
Following Saturday’s exhibition, the Lobos open the season at home with Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m.) and Abilene Christian (Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.).