by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
The UNM volleyball team started the 2007 season on a positive note, capturing the championship of the MCM Elegante Lobo Classic.
In the championship match, the Lobos dropped the first two games 25-30 and 27-30, before battling their way back to a 30-22, 30-25, 15-10 win in five games against San Jose State on Saturday at Johnson Gym.
First-year head coach Jeff Nelson said the team showed determination in the come-from-behind win.
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"We had two different teams out there," he said. "In games one and two, we were a bit timid and off our game and were playing not to lose. We weren't going out and taking control of the match. After halftime, we knew we had to come out and work and fight and compete better."
Junior Gayle Tripp, who notched a game-high 25 digs, said the team is showing more resiliency than in earlier seasons.
"It was definitely something that we probably wouldn't have done in the past," she said. "Being down 0-2 is really hard. It's pretty much the worst place you can possibly be. We just went into the locker rooms during intermission and decided that we were going to do this."
Junior Jeanne Fairchild, who led the Lobos with 20 kills, said the home fans helped get UNM back into the match.
"I thought we did pretty well," she said. "Obviously, it was a little rocky at the beginning as we let the first two games get taken from us. We realized this is our home court. We had to work to defend it."
The Lobos also defeated Grambling State 30-19, 30-16, 30-18 earlier Saturday on their way to the championship match. On Friday, UNM topped Florida Atlantic 30-14, 30-25, 27-30, 30-17 in the tournament opener.
The 3-0 start to the 2007 season is the best start for the Lobos since 1999.
Nelson said the early success can help carry UNM to a strong season.
"Overall, it was a great start for us," he said. "I mean, this team struggled last year. For them to come out and win a couple of matches decisively, and then come back in one - it does so much for their confidence. It's really going to be a boost for us."
Tripp and freshman Lisa Meeter earned All-Tournament honors, and Fairchild was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Nelson said the three players served as the backbone for the Lobos throughout the
tournament.
"Jeanne had a great tournament and really dominated most of the time," he said. "Lisa was kind of our rock. Passing, defense, serving, hitting - she gets it done in all of the areas. And Gayle, she was awesome the whole weekend. She led every match in digs. For her, getting that confidence and knowing she can take it to that next level is really important."
UNM will take on 2006 NCAA Tournament participant Long Island on Tuesday.
Nelson said the matchup will be a test for his team.
"Long Island is a really good team," he said. "They have a number of foreign athletes that are really good players. They are well-coached. They have a great tradition and have been to the NCAA Tournament the past four years. It's going to be another really tough match for us."
BOX
Women's volleyball vs. Long Island
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Johnson Gym
