Three double-doubles were not enough for New Mexico in game two of the USF Tournament on Friday night.
Carson Heilborn, alongside Julia Warren and Devanne Sours, individually posted a solid outing against South Florida, but UNM (4-2) couldn’t close in the second match of the day after taking down Stetson 3-1 in the first contest of the day.
"It was really disappointing because every time we put ourselves in position to win, we made a mistake or made an error," head coach Jeff Nelson said in a release. "... We had opportunities to win and we let it get away."
Sours and Lauren Twitty led the Lobo attack from the outside hitting spot, each collecting 14 kills. Sours also dug out 11 balls from hitting the hardwood. Twitty’s 14 kills is her new career best.
"Lauren Twitty went in and had a really good match," Nelson said in the release. "She definitely came up with production for us."
Another bright spot came from an underclassman as Heilborn was just one kill away (9) from posting a triple-double from the setter position – it would have been the first posted by a Lobo in six years. She recorded career highs in digs (42) and digs (12). The last UNM player to reach the triple-double plateau was Jade Michaelsen in 2010.
Per usual, Warren was able to be a stable force for UNM with 10 kills and 17 digs showcasing her indispensable talents across the floor.
However, the individual efforts were all overshadowed by USF’s squad who had no need for a bench in the 3-1 victory. The Bulls only utilized seven players in the win.
After dropping the first game by a 25-22 count, the Lobos came roaring back with a tight 25-23 victory in set two.
Nelson has taken solace in his deep bench, but took a major hit at the middle blocker position as J'Kaylee Clark went down with a leg injury in the third set, where UNM would eventually lose 25-22.
"It definitely hurt us that J'Kaylee went down," Nelson said. "She was playing the best of our three middles at the time. She was putting balls away and was hitting 1.000 when she went down."
New Mexico was unable to pick up any steam in the final set, losing 25-17.
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Cassie House was limited in the contest, only participating in one set on Friday night. She also received limited playing time in the final game of the UNM Tournament last weekend.
However, Nelson said in the release that he was again pleased with the play from his starting libero, Ashley Kelsey.
"Ashley Kelsey also had two really good matches today," Nelson said. "She had a good day for us and kept us somewhat grounded and in the matches."
Kelsey dug out 19 balls and had three assists against the Bulls.
USF (5-0) will enter the final game of the invitational unblemished against Stetson. New Mexico will take on Western Carolina (3-2) at 1:30 p.m.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
