Senior trinity lead the way

With five games left in the UNM volleyball team’s regular season, the clock is ticking for the three seniors who have been instrumental in turning the program into what it is today.

Senior captains Taylor Hadfield, Lisa Meeter and Jade Michaelsen are all four-year starters and were among head coach Jeff Nelson’s first recruiting class when he took over in 2007.

Hadfield, Meeter and Michaelsen are also reasons why the Lobos are 16-8 overall and sitting in second place in the Mountain West Conference.
“We are looking to Michaelsen, Meeter and Hadfield to lead the way down the stretch,” Nelson said. “They are doing a great job — all three of them — by just putting up big numbers, being intense and getting after it.”

Michaelsen became UNM’s all-time assist leader Oct. 23. She currently boasts a conference-best 10.2 assists per game, needing just 37 more to break the 4,000-assists mark.

Meeter notched her 100th career ace Oct. 2 and then went on to break the 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills mark Oct. 14 — only the third Lobo and third MWC player to accomplish such a feat.

Hadfield, an American Volleyball Coaches’ Association honorable mention All-American in 2009, was named to four all-tournament teams this season and boasts a team-high .320 hitting percentage.

But it’s more than awards that these seniors want to be remembered by.
“We want to be thought of as good people and good teammates,” Michaelsen said. “All the accolades are great. … But when all is said and done, we want to be looked at as someone our teammates can call on later and talk to.”

Hadfield, Meeter and Michaelsen are on pace to graduate as one of the winningest classes in UNM volleyball history, compiling a 74-38 career record.

Most notably, the Lobos ended a 15-year draught by reaching the NCAA tournament last season.
In addition, the trio helped UNM snap losing streaks of 23 matches against BYU, 10 matches against NMSU, nine matches against Utah and eight matches against UNLV.

Last season, UNM won for the first time against Utah on the road since 1996 and beat NMSU for the first time in Las Cruces since 1989.
“I hope my teammates remember all the great instances and great memories we’ve shared,” Michaelsen said. “And that’s kind of what I’d like to remember, too.”

Before the end of their careers, there’s one more team the Lobos would like to add to their list: No. 13 Colorado State. Dating back to 1994, the Rams won 28 of the last 29 matches against the Lobos.

“It would be amazing if we can get that one win we’re missing,” Meeter said. “Beating a nationally ranked team would only further our goals, and it would be so much momentum for the younger girls. I think we’ve done a good job of creating a winning mentality, but I’m sure that even after we’re gone, they’re just going to be an even better team next year.”