New Mexico has San Jose State’s number for when the teams play in California. The only five times the teams have met on the west coast, UNM has been able to return to the Land of Enchantment with a victory. UNM’s 3-0 victory over SJSU on Saturday maintained its perfect record against the Spartans on the team’s home court.
After taking the first set in the Rio Grande Rivalry, New Mexico fell the New Mexico State 3-1. In the last nonconference game of the regular season, UNM had trouble capitalizing against the Aggies, dropping three sets in a row. New Mexico (8-7, 1-1 MW) jumped out to a hot start, something head coach Jeff Nelson has preached to his squad all year. However, following the Lobos dominant 25-20 showing, the Lobos couldn’t manage another.
New Mexico volleyball head coach Jeff Nelson’s search for a starting libero continued in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Nevada. For the third consecutive game, Nelson has had to command a jersey swap in the middle of a match due to lackluster performances from the defensive position. UNM (8-6, 1-1 MW) has completed 14 games, but the Lobos can’t seem to find any sort of rhythm at libero.
A sour start to conference play leaves New Mexico searching for answers. The Lobos came into tonight’s game disgruntled about its fifth-place preseason placement, but had a rough showing against the Aztecs in the three set loss.
After a bitter ending to the Days Inn and Suites Lobo Invitational, New Mexico heads into conference play with a chip on its shoulder. In front of 3,267 fans -- the 13th largest crowd in program history -- the New Mexico volleyball team recorded a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to LSU at WisePies Arena on Saturday. However, middle blocker Skye Gullatt said her squad is ready to put the nonconference schedule on the back burner and take the Mountain West by storm.
New Mexico is looking to build exposure in addition to finding hidden talent for its newest sport. The Lobo beach volleyball program is hosting tryouts Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 for anyone who thinks they can make the cut. Head coach Jeff Nelson said he’s been approached by several individuals on campus interested in trying out. “I just think it’s time we give kids on campus a shot,” Nelson said. “There will be a three-day tryout, and we’ll just see how it goes.”
Crucial errors down the stretch hindered New Mexico’s five-set bid in the title game at the Days Inn and Suites Lobo Invitational against LSU on Saturday night. After taking the first matches against Cal State Northridge and Long Island University Brooklyn, the Lobos hit a lull for a 3-2 loss against the Tigers in the final game the squad will play this season at WisePies Arena aka The Pit.
New Mexico came out with a new rotation Friday night, giving the red-long-sleeved jersey to Ashley Kelsey in UNM’s 3-1 victory over Cal State Northridge. Kelsey, listed as an outside hitter, took over the libero duties for the first time this season after Mercedes Pacheco’s difficult tournament at the USC Classic last weekend.
New Mexico will host the Days Inn and Suites Lobo Invitational for three home games, away from the team’s home court. For the first time in three years, UNM will be playing a home game at WisePies Arena aka The Pit. Although head coach Jeff Nelson said the Lobos prefer to play in the team’s home gym at Johnson Center, he doesn’t anticipate any less of an advantage despite venturing down the street. “Home is home,” Nelson said. “Home is where your fans are.”
The crowd seemed to cheer a little louder for UNM’s freshman libero Mercedes Pacheco during UNM’s home opener against Santa Clara. Looking into the crowd, an enormous group was on its feet cheering and stomping for New Mexico’s newest starter. Pacheco, born and raised in Albuquerque, chose to stay home and play volleyball at the collegiate level instead of trying her luck by playing elsewhere.
New Mexico’s volleyball squad didn’t leave California empty handed. After dropping the first two matches at the USC Classic, UNM took a thrilling five-set victory over Idaho State on Saturday afternoon.
New Mexico kept pace for two sets against the number six team in the nation despite falling 3-0 to USC on Friday night. The Trojans have swept the last nine teams they have faced, only dropping one set to North Carolina in the first match of the season. UNM (4-4) had no answer for Samantha Bricio, who collected 21 kills on 39 attempts.
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.
Head coach Jeff Nelson hit a major milestone in his 21st season coaching collegiate volleyball, garnering win No. 400 in a 3-0 sweep against the Broncos on Friday night. Nelson has made his presence felt throughout his 20-plus years as a head volleyball coach. In his ninth season as head coach for New Mexico, Nelson has put up an impressive 159-89 record during his tenure.
New Mexico was able to celebrate Jeff Nelson’s 400th career victory in a competitive 3-0 sweep over the Santa Clara Broncos Friday night at the Johnson Center. Although UNM didn’t fall in a single set against the Santa Clara, the Lobos’ first victory at home did not come easily. “They play a really fast offense that’s hard to play against, but our kids handled well,” Nelson said.
Jeff Nelson continues his path toward 400. After the team dropped its last three sets against Ball State, New Mexico’s head volleyball coach has a chance to seize to his 400th career win in front of a home crowd. Nelson said getting over the 399 hump would have been nice to do against his alma mater, but he will be happy to climb the plateau whenever the time comes.
Head coach Jeff Nelson’s 400th win will have to wait following New Mexico’s 3-2 loss in the final game of the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge on Saturday. On the national stage, senior middle blocker Simone Henderson had a career night against Nelson’s alma mater during the televised game on ESPN3. Despite her 21 kills on 35 total attempts, the Lobos couldn’t capitalize in the final three sets of the contest.
This is no ordinary season-opening tournament for head coach Jeff Nelson and his New Mexico volleyball squad. UNM will compete in three games in Muncie, Indiana during the Ball State Active Ankle Challenge. Not only will Nelson face off against some of his former coaching staff, but UNM may be able to award its head coach with his 400th career win -- and on a national stage, no less.
New Mexico will play like a team with something to prove this year. Despite limping to the finish line with multiple injuries last year, the Lobos finished among the top four teams in the conference. This year: UNM has been picked to finish fifth. “We have three all-conference players, the most players returning, and two kids on the preseason (All-Mountain West) team,” head coach Jeff Nelson said. “We’re going to play with a big chip on our shoulders and make them play like they’ve got something to prove.”
In sports, it is almost guaranteed that not everything is going to go as planned. On New Mexico’s Fan Appreciation Night, it was hard to tell what the plan was amidst Silver’s 2-1 victory over the Cherry team during Thursday night’s intrasquad volleyball scrimmage. Before the match, Nelson said he was going to give fans a glimpse at what his starting rotation could potentially look like.
Solutions by The State News
