Wednesday night couldn’t have ended more fittingly as UNM fans bid farewell to the three volleyball seniors in a 3-0 sweep over Utah State.
Facing match point, senior setter Hannah Johnson lofted up a ball to fellow senior middle blocker Skye Gullatt who dropped the ball on the hardwood for the final action of the 2015 season in Johnson Center. While the Lobos have two remaining games on their schedule, UNM’s home court will be absent from action until next fall.
“It felt lucky we got that,” Gullatt said. “Honestly, I give that to Hannah. She trusted me on the last point on the last game and gave the ball for me.”
Johnson, the captain of the squad, issued her goodbyes and gratitude with a speech she had written prior to the victory over Utah State (6-14, 2-14 MW). However, her written words didn’t prevent the eventual tears towards the end of her speech.
“I thought I could make it all the way through, but my emotions got the best of me,” Johnson said.
Head coach Jeff Nelson said it was fitting that Johnson was the one to speak on behalf of the fellow seniors, being the leader of the group.
“I don’t think she was going to let anyone else do it,” Nelson said. “… She did a great job. She does with everything. She’s a person who prepares; she’s a person who really has a plan most of the time.”
The Washington native finished her night with six kills, 35 assists, seven digs, and assisted on six blocks in her final contest in front of the Lobo faithful. Johnson said she considered Albuquerque to be her second home, specifically Johnson Center.
“For a Wednesday night and a game starting at 7 p.m. and on a school night… it was really nice to have a big crowd for us,” Johnson said. “It meant a lot.”
Nelson was also pleased with the ambiance of New Mexico’s home floor in front of 1,120 fans. The head coach said he was just pumped to get a victory for the fans and the seniors.
Before the game, Gullatt said she was full of energy and said she was pumped before rushing hitting the hardwood for the final time.
“I was just excited to get out there and play with my team for the last time in front of my fans,” Gullatt said. “It was the last timeout that it really hit me that these last two points are my last as a Lobo hear in New Mexico.”
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Gullatt brought her pregame excitement to the court as she led the Lobos and the game with 3.5 total blocks. Henderson led UNM hitters with a .263 percentage, and Johnson led the game with 35 assists.
Junior Cassie House put forth another stout performance as she collected the game high 14 kills on senior night.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on twitter @Liam_CE.
