by David J. Chavez
Daily Lobo
Experience is scarce on the UNM volleyball team, but there isn't a lack of leadership with senior Kelly Therkelsen helping command the young team.
Head coach Kelley McKee said the team is headed in the right direction, and she looks forward to the guidance that Therkelsen will give to the other players.
"The future is bright with all the young talent that we have on this year's team," McKee said. "It's just a matter of coming together. Kelly and Jennifer Heasty are both providing upper-class leadership, and the doors are open for some younger girls to lead also."
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Therkelsen, the only senior on this year's squad, led the team by example in their exhibition game against the New Mexico alumni. With the game tied, she clobbered the ball for a kill and blocked a strike from former Lobo Nicole Ryan to win the game.
Last year, Therkelsen received numerous honors and set records with her work on and off the court.
She earned Mountain West Conference All-Academic honors and CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District. She also made the Hilton/Albuquerque and Montana All-Tournament teams.
Therkelsen has steadily improved her career stats at UNM to become the player she is this year.
Therkelsen produced 247 block assists, which moved her to fourth in the UNM career record book. She finished the season tied for a team high in service aces at 33, set second in points with 362, blocks with 123, total attacks with 678 and service aces per game with 0.30.
Therkelsen said it's gratifying to see how everyone has evolved into the players they are now.
"It's nice to see where we're at right now compared to some of the earlier years," she said. "I've gotten better, and there's a lot of athleticism and talent out there, so I think we're going to surprise a lot of people this year."
Therkelsen said her coaches and teammates have been very supportive throughout the years.
"My coaches and teammates have been great, and they've helped me make something that I can look back on and be proud of," Therkelsen said. "I just want to go out there and win a lot of matches and not have any regrets at the end of the season."
McKee said this year's team has depth in every position, which improves the competitive standard for the team. The team has offensive firepower and more weapons at the net than in recent years, McKee said.
McKee said blocking and serving should be the team's biggest strengths. The team needs to work on ball control and moving the ball to the middle for better distribution, she said.
The Lobos take on Utah State on Friday, Aug. 25, as they host the Hilton Albuquerque Volleyball Classic. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 1989.
Utah State returns only five letterwinners from last year's team and has a new head coach in Grayson DuBose.
McKee said Utah State might struggle with all the modifications it has made since last season.
"They've made a lot of changes, so I think they're a team that's trying to find their identity and rhythm," McKee said. "We just need to step on the court and be disciplined and consistent. It's going to come down to our ball control, and I'm hoping that's something we can really improve on this week."
