Staff Report
The UNM volleyball team gave the NMSU Aggies a scare Tuesday night, although they were defeated in a marathon, five-game battle 30-14, 30-28, 30-23, 27-30, 15-7.
It was the 13th straight win for NMSU, while the Lobos have now lost 12 consecutive matches.
The Aggies are the only undefeated team remaining in the Sunbelt Conference.
Senior Anna Reines and sophomore Chelsea Sondrup led the way for UNM, with 16 and 14 kills, respectively. Freshman Kelly Therkelsen added seven and freshman Jennifer Heasty put down four kills for the Lobos.
Lobo libero Adah Burke dug 23 Aggie attacks and setter Monica Meihack set up 45 assists.
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Trinia Cuseo had a game-high 17 kills, three solo blocks and five digs for the Aggies.
In all, NMSU recorded 71 kills, allowing UNM to convert only 53.
NMSU head coach Mike Jordan said the Lobos gave NMSU the most trouble serving.
"I give UNM credit," Jordan said in a news release. "They are the toughest serving team we have faced all year. It seems that they always serve the ball well."
The Lobos got off to a slow start as the Aggies controlled the first game, allowing UNM to score on a paltry .053 percent of its attacks. NMSU made just two errors in game one.
But the Lobos made a late comeback in the second game on an 11-4 run. The Aggies would briefly regain the lead, but would finally fall to UNM.
UNM kept up with NMSU in game three only to the eighth point. The Aggies went on a scoring spree and eventually won by seven.
Game four was a race for the Lobos and the Aggies as they kept the score close on alternating sideouts. UNM would build a lead of 17-12 and never let NMSU come back.
Finally, the Aggies exploded on a 11-3 run in the fifth game to end the match 15-7.
The Lobos will be back in action at home on Friday night when they take on the Air Force Falcons at Johnson Arena.
