The New Mexico Lobos looked to get back on track as they took on the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine on Friday, Sept. 25. The Lobos came into this game having lost five straight all on the road and ended up making it their sixth, as they fell to Hawaii 3-0.
The Rainbow Wahine started off hot with an ace from libero Cameron Holcomb. Lobo middle blocker Reagan Miller was the only bright spot in the first set, giving the Lobos 2 points from kill shots.
Rainbow Wahine outside hitter Panni Rataki had 4 straight aces as the Rainbow Wahine blew their lead open by 11. The Lobos found some momentum, getting the lead down to single digits, however, they still lost the first set 25-17.
Lobo opposite hitter Addison France, along with setter Madeline Miller, started off the scoring for the Lobos in the second set, giving UNM an early lead. The lead did not hold however, as Hawaii middle blocker Miliana Sylvester scored multiple points for the Rainbow Wahine.
Lobo outside hitter Mina Stanojevic and Miller gave some hope to the Lobos as they both got kills, cutting the Rainbow Wahine lead to 9. Despite this, the Lobos did not get any momentum, losing the second set 25-13.
As the third set started, Holcomb notched an ace to give Hawaii an early three-point lead, followed by the Lobos giving the Rainbow Wahine an easy point on a rotation violation.
Sylvester was red-hot, getting 2 kills in the third set to give Hawaii a five-point lead. Reagan Miller finally broke the drought once again, providing the Lobos with a much needed point.
Stanojevic followed suit, breaking another drought for the Lobos to cut the lead to six. France and the Lobos had four consecutive points which trimmed the Hawaii lead down to four.
Regan Miller continued her hot streak of kills for the Lobos, and Madeline Miller and Stanojevic also helped the Lobos to cut the Rainbow Wahine lead to just 1 at 21-20.
With the set neck-and-neck, Hawaii outside hitter Tali Hakas pushed the Rainbow Wahine over the line to halt the Lobos’ momentum and end the set 25-21.
The Lobos would take on Hawaii for the second time that weekend on Saturday and once again fell flat against the Rainbow Wahine, losing 3-0.
Xavier Apodaca is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @XavierApodaca2
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