Lobo Volleyball Opens Season with Lobo Invitational

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— It is officially volleyball season, and The University of New Mexico volleyball team is starting it at home with Cal State Fullerton and Abilene Christian in the Lobo Invitational.

There will be two matches on Friday, with ACU and CSF set to start at 12:30 p.m. MT, with the Lobos playing Cal State Fullerton in the evening match at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, there will be just one match, with the Lobos playing the Wildcats at 1 p.m. MT. Live stats will be available for all three matches, but only the UNM matches will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.

Fans who purchase a tourney two-pack for the weekend will receive a buy one, get one free promotion with free admission to Saturday’s match.

While it is a new season, the Lobos have familiarity with their roster as well as with their opponents.

New Mexico returns all seven starters from the 2021 season, including All-MW recipients in outside hitters Kaitlynn Biassou and Uxue Guereca, and preseason all-MW honoree Biassou. In addition, the Lobos return their top setter in Melissa Walden and defensive leader Alena Moldan.

Both Moldan and Biassou return as co-captains, the third-straight year that the duo have been tabbed as captains.

Adding to the strength of the Lobos, UNM added to the depth in the offseason at every position.

UNM added a compliment to Melissa Walden in transfer setter Anilee Sher, who comes to New Mexico with 3,924 assists (10.5 per set) in her four years at Rider. In her last season, Sher broke the school record for assists in a single match with 68 and became the school’s all-time assists leader. She was named MAAC Co-Setter of the Year and MAAC Championship MVP her junior season.

The Lobos added some local talent in freshman middle blocker Sydney Moore, as well as some international talent in freshman middle blocker Lea Zurlinden from Switzerland.

In total, the Lobos will have five middle blockers on the roster, six outside hitters, three setters and two liberos.

The Lobos faced both teams in the invitational a year ago, and in both of those matches, New Mexico swept its opponent, holding ACU to a .027 hitting percentage and Cal State Fullerton to .036.

UNM found different ways to earn the win against both opponents, using nine service aces against the Titans and 14.0 total blocks against the Wildcats. Elizabeth Woods recorded two solo blocks and five assisted blocks and Avital Jaloba recorded one solo and five assisted blocks in the win over ACU.

Hitting-wise, the Lobos were consistent in percentages against both teams, finishing at .297 against Cal State Fullerton and .281 against Abilene Christian.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

Last season, the Titans went 12-15, 9-11 in Big West.

For Cal State Fullerton, the Titans return three starters whille losing three starters. Among the production lost was Gabrielle Barcelos (outside hitter that finished with 208 kills, and 242.5 points, the second highest on the team in both categories) and Haley Carmo (middle blocker with 149 kills, was second on the team with 56 blocks and third on team with 194.5 points). However,  they do return their leader in kills and points in Julia Crawford (321 kills, 354.5 points) and leader in assists in Elizabeth Schuster (1028 assists, 10.18 per set).

In total, the Titans return nine and lost nine from last year’s roster.  CSUF was picked to finish ninth in the Big West Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll with 36 points, one point behind UC San Diego.

Abilene Christian was 9-15, 3-9 in the WAC in 2021.

ACU returns two of its leaders from a season ago in Madison Rohre (assists) and Braden Bossier (blocks), but lost its top producer in kills in Lindsey Toney and in digs and service aces in Madison Lawler.

The Wildcats were projected to finish 11th in the WAC preseason poll with 37 points.

UNM is 3-0 all-time against ACU and 4-1 all-time against Cal State Fullerton, but has won the last three against the Titans.

To purchase tickets to the match, go to golobos.com/tickets. Lobo Pride Passes are still available to purchase and will act as a season ticket for all home volleyball, soccer, softball, baseball, track and field and swimming and diving events for just $50.