by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
UNM junior outside hitter Jeanne Fairchild isn't one to brag - although she has every right to.
Fairchild has paced the Lobos to a 4-0 start this season. It is the best start for a UNM volleyball team since 1994.
The winning streak can be largely attributed to a strong offensive performance from Fairchild, head coach Jeff Nelson said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"Offensively, Jeanne has played a huge role for us," he said. "She has put up big numbers for us and gotten the kills when we've needed them. We look to give her a lot of balls each night. And as we look to the future, she plays a big part of it."
In four matches this season, Fairchild leads the Lobos in kills. She has 57 kills and averages 4.38 kills per game.
Nelson said it is the statistics, combined with her experience, that make Fairchild a standout.
"Jeanne is a phenomenal athlete," he said. "She is a leader on this team. She puts up the kind of numbers and has the ability to really dominate the game - and that sets her apart."
But things have not always been so bright for this golden girl.
After a successful high school career at St. Pius X that garnered numerous awards, including two-time NMAA Gatorade Player of the Year honors and two state championships, Fairchild was ranked 22nd on PrepVolleyball.com's prestigious Senior Aces list of the top 100 prep athletes in the class of 2005.
Fairchild was heavily recruited by top volleyball programs such as University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California and University of
Arizona.
Ultimately, Fairchild chose San Diego to begin her NCAA career.
"I had committed to USC and went to camp and just decided that it just wasn't for me," she said. "Then, I had a decision between University of Arizona and San Diego. I picked USD just because my dad was born and raised in San Diego. I had been there. I was familiar with the area, and I loved the coaches and the program from my recruiting trips."
But something changed for Fairchild midway through her freshman year.
"Initially, I was really burnt out," she said. "I didn't really know if I even wanted to play anymore. I wasn't as ready as I thought I was to go away. Once I left San Diego, I didn't touch a ball for eight months."
In her time of need, Fairchild turned to her father, BYU All-American and former Los Angeles Lakers player John Fairchild, for guidance.
"I look up to my dad so much," she said. "I have his athleticism, and I take after him a lot. He's the one who first got me into sports and suggested volleyball. And seeing all that he has achieved, and the fact that he's my dad, gives me the drive to want to be like that."
Fairchild returned to volleyball and New Mexico in
fall 2006.
"Being here, being at home, and just having that support system is so important for me," she said. "I've played with Gayle (Tripp) since I was in sixth grade, and just being surrounded by familiar faces is great. It provides me with comfort and security."
Fairchild said that despite the long road she has taken, she is happy where she is today.
"I feel like I am in the best position that I've been in a really long time," she said. "I'm happy and healthy, and I'm playing well. I also have an amazing team and great coaches. What more could I ask for?"
As for life after volleyball, Fairchild hasn't decided what she will do.
"Right now, I'm just going where it takes me," she said. "As far as becoming an All-American, that's definitely something I would like to achieve. But whether it is going overseas after college or playing here on the pro beach tour, whatever it is, I have open doors to wherever the wind wants to take me."
Volleyball
vs. Iowa State
Today, 3 p.m.
Tempe, Ariz.
