by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
First-year head coach Jeff Nelson is attempting to rebuild the UNM women's volleyball program.
In 2006, under head coach Kelley McKee, UNM went 10-20 overall and finished 5-11 in conference play, taking eighth in the Mountain West Conference.
Under Nelson, the Lobos are putting their past behind them.
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"We have a lot to look forward to," Nelson said. "I am excited to continue working with the team in preparation for the 2007 season."
UNM was recently picked to finish fifth in the MWC in preseason polls. The ranking - the highest for the Lobos in 11 years - is also the team's highest preseason ranking since the MWC was created
in 1999.
Nelson said he is not satisfied with the preseason prediction.
"It is a good place to start from," he said. "But I believe that we can achieve a lot more than that in the coming year."
Preseason practice started Aug. 8. Since then, the Lobos have held two-a-day practices at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily inside
Johnson Gym.
Nelson said he is noticing improvement with each practice.
"I'm seeing the team really come together," he said. "They are playing some very good defense, passing well and playing with intensity. I am very pleased with where they are right now."
UNM begins its season Aug. 18 with an annual alumni match at Johnson Gym.
Although the outcome does not count toward the Lobos' record, it will be an important match,
Nelson said.
"We want to build a program here at UNM," he said. "Programs have to have tradition, and the alumni are the very backbone of that tradition. We always want to include them and keep tradition alive."
The Lobos kick off their season on Aug. 24 against Florida Atlantic at the MCM Elegante Lobo
Classic.
Following the home opener, UNM will travel to Tempe, Ariz., to face Arizona State in its first of 11 matches against NCAA participants on the season.
Nelson said his young team will benefit from the tought schedule.
"The tough opponents will give us great experience and help us keep building," he said. "Really, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing these tough matches."
The Lobos lost just one player, right side blocker Kelly Therkelsen, to graduation. UNM returns juniors Jeanne Fairchild, Sarah Kwasigroch and Gayle Tripp. Fairchild led the Lobos in kills last season with 3.33 per game, ranking ninth in the MWC. Kwasigroch led UNM in assists with 10.57 per game, and Tripp led the Lobos in digs with 4.29 per game.
Nelson said the three players will be the key to success this
season.
"Jeanne, Sarah and Gayle are all phenomenal athletes," he said. "We will again look to them for leadership this season."
Despite having no seniors on this year's squad, Nelson said he is pleased to work with the team for the next two years.
"Turning around a program is not a quick and easy job," he said. "It takes time and dedication, and I'm happy to have both with
this group."
