The Lobo volleyball team lost three matches this weekend to take fourth place at the Albuquerque Marriott Lobo Tournament in Johnson Arena.
Even though UNM was swept by Ohio, Sacramento State and Kentucky, head coach Kelly Sliva McKee said the home team played better in this tournament than they did at the Comcast Lobo Invitational, where the Lobos were undefeated.
"I feel like we've broken new ground," she said. "We're making better decisions, competing with more energy and fulfilling our roles and responsibilities. From the minute we stepped on the court this morning it was a whole different group."
UNM's first match was against the Kentucky Wildcats Friday night. The Wildcats finished the Lobos in three games 30-21, 30-27, 30-17.
Kentucky's Melissa Popp, Sissy Canfield and Liz McCaslin all reached double-digits in kills off assists from Leigh Marcum.
The UNM defense played tight on the net and struggled to dig the deep hits.
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Sliva McKee said senior Monica Meihack has moved from setter to the libero position in an attempt to stabilize the Lobos' passing game.
"She's probably our top setter and she's our best passer," Sliva McKee said. "As a team, we could not find a rhythm in passing. It's a huge compliment to Monica - she did an amazing job stabilizing our team, so that we could grow and develop in other aspects of our game."
Meihack notched 44 digs in the tournament.
Stepping up to fill Meihack's setting role was freshman Lindsay Smith.
Smith directed the offense with 113 sets on the weekend.
Smith said she chooses whom to set up based on who is "on" in the match and where the toughest block is. She also said she uses a jump-set because it is harder to block.
"We have two very good setters," Sliva McKee said. "Lindsay needs to develop a relationship with her hitters and it's just a matter of time. She took three huge steps forward this weekend."
Starting Saturday afternoon's match against Ohio were Smith, senior Anna Reines, freshmen Kelly Therkelsen, Lauren Dunsmoor and Jennifer Heasty with sophomore Chelsea Sondrup in the middle.
UNM pushed the Bobcats to four games after winning the third, but eventually fell 30-22, 30-20, 21-30, 30-20.
It was the Lobos' best offensive game of the season with all five hitters reaching double-digits in kills. Reines, Therkelsen and Dunsmoor each hammered 13 kills, while Sondrup added 11 and Heasty 10.
Smith put up 49 assists against Ohio.
UNM's troubles continued into the final four-game match against the Sacramento State Hornets.
Therkelsen, Heasty and Reines formed an intimidating wall on the defensive side of the net.
The trio blocked 9.5 attacks, but when the ball got passed them, the Lobos scrambled to keep it off the floor.
Outside hitter Sandra Bandimere led the Hornets with 14 kills, although the UNM defense allowed her to complete only .163 percent of her attacks.
The Lobos were only able to beat the Hornets once and lost the series 30-24, 30-24, 30-32, 30-19.
Sacramento State was the tournament runner-up, following Ohio. Kentucky took home the bronze, while the Lobos finished in last place.
Meihack and Therkelsen were the only UNM players named to the all-tournament team.
Tonight the Lobos will take on their in-state rival, the Aggies. Game time with NMSU is set for 7 p.m. at Johnson Arena. Admission is free for all students with a valid Lobo ID.
