New Mexico’s start to the 2015 campaign has been far from a stroll in the park.
The Lobos have had no time to ease into the season, as head coach Jeff Nelson created an opening schedule against some fierce opponents. However, Nelson said his squad’s upcoming trip to Southern California will be unlike the previous two tournaments of the year.
“This weekend coming up is the toughest one of the year, we feel,” Nelson said.
UNM will begin the USC Classic today at 1:30 p.m. against Pepperdine, a team that is catching a lot of attention.
The Waves are enjoying a 6-1 record to begin the season under first-year head coach Scott Wong. Nelson said Pepperdine has been a surprise this year, and he expects to compete in three tough matches in the tournament.
Thursday afternoon’s battle will be just a taste of what the sixth-best team in the nation will bring on national television. Friday night’s affair against the USC Trojans has been deemed the Pac-12 game of the week and will be featured on the Pac-12 Network.
UNM is no newcomer to the national spotlight after playing on ESPN3 against Ball State Aug. 29. The five-set loss came down to the wire for New Mexico’s Lobos (4-2), who will be looking to change their fortunes playing with televised exposure.
No. 6 USC (6-0) has lost just one set all season, which came in the team’s home opener against North Carolina. The Trojans started their season off in perfect fashion following last year’s loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“It’s a weekend where anything you pick up is just a bonus,” Nelson said. “If we can come out with two wins or three wins, it’s a really big weekend for us.”
The Lobos will cap the weekend on Saturday against Idaho State, a squad that has won its past five matches after starting the season 0-2. The Bengals (5-2) have faltered in just one set in the past five contests.
“Our schedule was like the 40th toughest schedule this year, and that’s going to bode well for us,” Nelson said. “I think we’re in a good place. I’m seeing more fight out of this group than any group here.”
UNM has dropped the final game in the past two tournaments, both going to five sets. Nelson said he was pleased by the intensity his team brought this past weekend in the Lobo Classic.
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Although New Mexico didn’t end up sweeping the tournament, Nelson said he has been thrilled by the level his team has been playing at.
“We knew if we came out with two wins, it was a good tournament,” Nelson said. “If we came out with three wins then it was a huge tournament for us. Unfortunately, we got two.”
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on twitter @Liam_CE.
