Three Lobos Earn All-Tournament Team Honors

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After a 2-1 weekend at the Johnson Center as hosts of the Lobo Invitational, New Mexico was named as tournament co-champion along with UC Irvine (2-1) and Kialah Jefferson, Elizabeth Woods and Falanika Danielson all earned All-Tournament Team honors for their performances.

The Lobos defeated Tulane in four sets to kick off the 2024 season on Friday and reverse swept North Dakota later in the day before falling in straight sets to Irvine in Saturday’s tournament finale.

With Week One in the rearview mirror, the Lobos head to Houston, Texas, where they’ll face Kansas City, Howard and host Houston Christian in more tournament action. As a team, UNM is averaging 13.0 kills and 12.08 assists per set, with Kialah Jefferson (37 kills, 3.36 K/s) and Lauryn Payne (30 kills, 3.0 K/s) leading the team in kills and Madeleine Miller leading in assists (90 total, 7.50 A/s) and digs (34, 2.83 D/s).

#19 ELIZABETH WOODS | SR. | MB

• Finished with five or more blocks in all three matches over the weekend as the Lobos went 2-1 and were named Tournament Co-Champs, earning All-Tournament Team honors in the process.
• Posted the most total blocks (17) and block assists (13) in the conference over the weekend, racking up the second-most solo blocks (4) and fourth-most blocks per set (1.42) as well. Only committed two blocking errors in 12 sets of action, producing 17 of UNM’s 26 total blocks on the weekend.
• Served up three service aces — the first of which was the first of her collegiate career — in UNM’s season-opening four-set win over Tulane on Friday. Added three solo blocks in that match.
  Also finished with seven digs and 21 kills on the weekend.

#23 FALANIKA DANIELSON | G-SR. | L

• Accumulated the second-most digs on the squad (31, 2.58) while serving as UNM’s libero for all 12 sets.
• Produced 11 assists in the process — the most of any non-setter.

#24 KIALAH JEFFERSON | SR. | OH

• Led the Lobos in kills (37, 3.36 per set) over the weekend as UNM went 2-1 and finished as Co-Champions of the Lobo Invitational, posting double-doubles in both of UNM’s wins on Friday.
• Through one week of the season, ranks No. 2 among MW players in total points (42.5), No. 6 in points per set (3.86), No. 3 in total kills (37) and No. 6 in kills per set (3.36).
• Posted a team-high 15 kills and 13 digs in her Lobo debut vs. Tulane, serving up a pair of aces as well. Followed up with a 20-kill, 11-dig performance against North Dakota later that same day, serving up another ace.