Familiar foe in NCAA fever

The UNM volleyball team is hoping things will go better the second time.
The Lobos are making their second-straight NCAA appearance today in Los Angeles after losing in the first round last season to No. 3 Hawaii.

This year, UNM will face off against a familiar foe in sixth-seeded Southern California, who is ranked No. 5 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. The Women of Troy swept the Lobos 3-0 on Sept. 3.

But senior setter Jade Michaelsen said UNM is anticipating a closer re-match this time around.

“We’ve seen them, and we know that they are big and hit hard,” she said. “Our defense has improved so much since the beginning of the season, and I’m not sure they’ll be expecting it.”

The team has shown signs of development since September, winning nine of its last 10 including a 3-0 sweep of No. 13 Colorado State on Nov. 11.

But it was the backcourt defense that impressed the most, as the dynamic duo of junior libero Allison Buck and freshman defensive specialist Mariah Agre made one diving save after another to keep UNM competitive all season long.

Buck said the Lobos have a no-fear mentality heading into the matchup.
“Nobody expects us to win,” she said. “All the pressure will be on USC. We’ll be able to go out there and play stress-free volleyball.”
However, stopping USC’s outside hitters will be a tall order. Junior Alex Jupiter was a 2009 All-American and freshman Falyn Fonoimoana was the 2010 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.

“They’ve got tough hitters and our blocking is going to have to be at its best to stop them,” Michaelsen said. “We’ve seen taller teams this year, and we’ve been successful at blocking. It’s definitely one of our strong points.”

UNM will rely heavily on its senior leadership — Michaelsen, senior outside hitter Lisa Meeter and senior middle blocker Taylor Hadfield — to be successful.

All three standouts were named to the All-MWC team this week. The award is Michaelsen’s third all-conference honor, while Hadfield and Meeter received their second nods.

“It will be our last match playing collegiate volleyball,” Michaelsen said. “We want to give it our all and leave everything on the court.”
Joining Hadfield, Meeter and Michaelsen on the all-conference team was Buck, who was named the MWC Co-Libero of the Year with Utah’s Keisha Fisher. Junior right-side hitter Kelly Williamson earned Academic All-America honors and head coach Jeff Nelson was named the MWC Coach of the Year.

With all the accomplishments, the Lobos have their eyes on one more.
“I tell my teammates every time we get on the court, ‘Let’s go win a national championship,’” junior Amy Wong said. “It’s been our goal all season to make it to the Sweet Sixteen, and I really think this team can do it.”