For the second year in a row, UNM came out on top in the Comcast Lobo Invitational.
The Lobos defeated Youngstown State University, Alcorn State University and the University of Delaware this weekend at Johnson Arena.
UNM followed a pattern in all three matches: jumping out to a strong start, and then allowing the opponent to get a foot in the door and catch up.
UNM head coach Kelley Sliva McKee said the Lobos were victorious because of their defense at the net.
"We beat at our block," she said. "That was an outstanding effort from our team. We made a lot of good changes and adjustments in our blocking game."
Despite stellar blocking, the Lobos posted 59 service errors throughout the weekend, while opponents missed just over 45 against UNM.
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At the start of the Lobos' first game, Youngstown State looked like an easy target for middle hitter Chelsea Sondrup. Sondrup consistently found holes in the Penguin defense, scoring on 13 kills. Sondrup was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
"She was the most consistent offensive player on all four teams," Sliva McKee said. "She provided great leadership just by playing her position very well."
Sliva McKee said the entire UNM offense showed balance this weekend.
After giving the Lobos two easy wins, the Penguins pushed the match to five games, but lost the last game 15-13.
Defensive specialist Adah Burke scrambled for 15 digs in the match.
Saturday afternoon was Alcorn State's turn to face UNM. The Lobos made quick work of the Braves in the first two games, winning by 10 and 11 points, respectively. Led by right-side hitter Donika Sutton, Alcorn State pulled together to beat the Lobos in the third 30-26. Sutton finished the match with nine kills, four digs and four block assists.
At 6-feet-4, senior outside hitter Anna Reines put down 15 kills, with four digs and a block assist against the Braves. The Lobos won in the fourth game of the match 30-25.
After the two wins, Sondrup said the feeling in the locker room was not one of excitement or pride.
"We felt like we should have played much better," she said. "We didn't feel like we were playing to our full potential, so we were fired up and excited to play Delaware."
In the final match, the Lobos and the Blue Hens, who were both 2-0, faced off for the tournament's trophy.
The numerous serving errors and net violations that interrupted earlier games were not an issue in the final match.
UNM was burned on five consecutive serves from setter Allison Hunter, but Reines got the sideout with a kill on the strong side.
With the score tied at 30, senior Monica Meihack set up freshman Kelly Therkelsen on the right side for a kill and freshman middle blocker Jennifer Heasty polished off the game with a deflection from the middle. The Lobos posted 12.5 blocks on the game and swept Delaware 32-30, 30-23, 30-28.
All-tournament team honors went to Reines, Heasty and Burke from UNM, Valerie Murphy and Sarah Engle of Delaware, Brittany Ward from Alcorn State and Youngstown State's Melanie Pounders.
The Lobos travel to Washington State University on Friday to take part in the Cougar Mania Invitational. UNM will take on Washington State, Loyola Marymount and the University of Saint Louis.
