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New Mexico right side hitter senior Chantale Riddle cheers after scoring on Tuesday night at Johnson Gym against Air Force. Riddle captured the Mountain West all-time career kill record on senior night.

New Mexico right side hitter senior Chantale Riddle cheers after scoring on Tuesday night at Johnson Gym against Air Force. Riddle captured the Mountain West all-time career kill record on senior night.

Riddle leads MW in kills after setting record

In a three-set sweep over Air Force by the scores of 25-20, 25-16, 25-18, Chantale Riddle collected 22 kills ending her UNM career with 1,623 total kills, she beat out previous record holder Kim Turner, who had 1,619. Turner played at Utah from 2000-2003.

“I didn’t start counting; the girls started counting,” Riddle said. “I’m pretty sure I knew how many kills I had the entire game.”

Riddle’s tenure as a Lobo ended on an exclamation point, getting the final kill of the match against the Falcons (13-19, 7-11) as the crowd of 1,655 erupted.

“We were trying to make her not aware of where she was at,” head coach Jeff Nelson said. “There probably haven’t been too many players that were more fun to watch here than Chantale.”

At the beginning of the game, Riddle and fellow senior Elsa Krieg was walked to the middle of Johnson Gym for thier senior-night honors. Riddle’s mother, who has been battling cancer, was in attendance, which Riddle said made the night that much sweeter.

Riddle, a redshirt senior is the most decorated volleyball player in UNM history. The All-American holds the Lobos record in points and kills, and she ranks second all-time in blocks.

The New Mexico native put together one of her strongest seasons in her final year as a Lobo, claiming two Mountain West Player of the Week awards, in addition to her national attention claiming AVCA All-American player of the week.

“I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” Riddle said. “It’s just about memories; this is definitely one of the best memories I’ve ever had.”

While Nelson said he was pleased with all that Riddle has done on the court, he is most pleased that the right side hitter will be graduating UNM with a bachelor’s degree in family studies. Nelson said Riddle is the first of her family to graduate from college.

Riddle swung 45 times in just three sets, hitting an astounding .378. Hannah Johnson was a big contributor, collecting a remarkable 43 assists in the short sweep.

Nelson said he is proud of the way New Mexico (19-12, 11-7 MW) came together despite having the weight of the record over the team’s head.

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“This was probably the best match we’ve played all year,” Nelson said. “Everything clicked, and it was nice.”

Nelson said Krieg will remain a Lobo, becoming a staff member through the spring. Krieg had an injury riddled career as a Lobo tearing her ACL twice as a member of the team. Despite the ACL tear, Krieg went back to serve three times under the watchful eye of Nelson.

Krieg and Riddle will leave UNM on a high note claiming one last win in front of the home fans.

“It’s amazing to play one more time in this gym,” Riddle said. “It’s never the end, I can come back and play in the alumni match and play professionally for a while.”

Liam Cary-Eaves is the assistant sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.

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