The UNM volleyball team, which has been struggling, hopes the beginning of conference play means more wins and better play.
The Lobos (2-5) are on a five game losing streak heading into this weeks home games against the University of Nevada Las Vegas and San Diego State University to open its Mountain West Conference schedule.
"Now it counts; you have to push harder than you did before," outside hitter Vanessa Shields said. "This is what you work for this season. Now I hope it all comes together."
After starting the season in impressive fashion with two wins in its first three games, the Lobos traveled west to California two weeks ago for a disastrous road trip. UNM lost in straight sets to Long Beach State University, then went 0-3 in the Loyola Marymount University Volleyball Classic.
"We haven't found the chemistry yet," Shields said. "We've been playing well. Its not like anybody is playing bad; we just haven't come together."
Following nearly two weeks since their last game, UNM will try and shake some of the rust off when it plays UNLV (3-3) tomorrow. The Lobos, who were 5-7 in the conference last season, look to take advantage of the home court against the Rebels, something they could not do last year.
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Last season, the Lobos and Rebels split both of their regular season games, each winning on the others' home court. UNM handled the Rebels easily on the road in its first meeting, beating UNLV in three sets. A month later the Rebels returned the favor, handing the Lobos a three sets to one loss at home.
UNLV is led by a pair of talented players in sophomore Leiana Oswald and freshman Nicki King. Oswald is the teams' strongest attacker, leading the team with 81 kills, while King averages a team leading 10.65 assists a game.
The Rebels are very similar to the Lobos in that they are also inexperienced, having six freshman and only two seniors on the roster.
"They're a good team, we know that," head coach Tom Peterson said. "They are very tall. They have some very good talent."
The conference has some of the best teams in the country because three are ranked in the top 25 - Colorado State University at No.11, Brigham Young University at No. 14, and the University of Utah with a No. 21 ranking.
Although UNM has been struggling as a team, a pair of Lobos are playing very well. Sophomore Anna Reines leads the team with 88 kills and was named to the all-tournament team in the LMU tournament. Junior Kelly Griffin recorded her second double-double, double figures in kills and digs of the season versus Loyola Marymount University and leads the team with 229 assists, an average of 9.96 assists per game.
Peterson said the team is struggling because only one or two team members are playing well each game and some of the players are going through injury problems.
"We know we are going to get better," Peterson said. "We just need time to get some experience. Once we get healthy and get some experience we will be fine."
Saturday, the Lobos will play a San Diego State team that is playing very well. SDSU has started the season strong, compiling a 6-1 record. The Aztecs are led by outside hitters Zlatina Anguelova and Katie Magnuson. Anguelova leads the team in kills with an average of 3.52 a game and Magnuson is the teams' defensive specialist with 77 digs.
UNM will be looking for revenge as SDSU swept the Lobos in three meetings last season. The Aztecs easily dispatched the Lobos in the regular season, winning both games in three sets. Then the Aztecs ended the Lobos' season with a five set victory in the conference tournament.
Shields said it is very important for UNM to start the conference on the right track, especially against the teams in the conference that are not ranked.
"We need to beat these teams, there is no question," Shields said. "The way are record is, we need it to go through our season and be confident. If we don't win these games we are going to struggle a little bit more."
