Beddingfield returns home
Former Bosque standout to enroll at UNM after two years at Long Beach State
Carly Beddingfield got a taste of West Coast college volleyball and decided the Southwest version is more to her liking.
After two seasons at Long Beach State, Beddingfield is transferring to the University of New Mexico. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter and Albuquerque native will join the Lobos for the upcoming beach season and has two years of indoor eligibility remaining.
“I really enjoyed my experience (at Long Beach State),” Beddingfield said, “but I kind of missed Albuquerque. I grew up looking up to UNM’s program, so once I started considering a transfer I felt like being a Lobo was the right choice.”
Beddingfield has enjoyed plenty of volleyball success in New Mexico. She helped Bosque School to three state championship matches in four years and was part of the 2012 Bobcats squad that won a Class 2A title.
Bosque was bumped up to Class 4A in Beddingfield’s senior season, but she set a school record with 335 kills in 2014 as the Bobcats reached the state quarterfinals.
Beddingfield played club volleyball for New Mexico Juniors, which figures to ease her transition to UNM. She was a teammate of current Lobo Victoria Spragg and played under UNM assistant coach J.J. Glavan.
“My family is really excited that I’ll be playing close to home again,” Beddingfield said. “They’re huge Lobo fans for all sports.”
Beddingfield’s grandfather, Tony Bernitsky, played football at UNM in 1949-50 and she nearly followed in his footsteps out of high school, verbally committing to New Mexico after her junior year. But the lure of experiencing another environment — and playing in California’s volleyball hotbed — changed her mind.
“UNM was very understanding,” Beddingfield said.
Beddingfield started 22 games as a freshman at Long Beach State and had some impressive outings, including a career-best 13-kill match against UCLA. Her playing time dwindled last season, however, and Beddingfield said she was one of several players who opted to transfer. She contacted New Mexico State and visited West Virginia before committing to UNM.
NCAA transfer rules for volleyball do not require players to sit out, so Beddingfield will be eligible for beach competition this spring. The rules, however, prohibit coaches from commenting on transfer players until they start classes. Lobos coach Jeff Nelson confirmed UNM is recruiting Beddingfield but did not otherwise comment.
From a playing-time perspective, Beddingfield’s timing appears ideal. UNM outside hitters Cassie House, Devanne Sours and Julia Warren will exhaust their eligibility after the upcoming beach season, creating openings for Beddingfield next fall. Despite her time in California, Beddingfield concedes she’s a bit anxious about beach volleyball.
“I trained with the beach team but never played (at Long Beach State),” she said. “It seems like everyone out there has played beach volleyball since they were little, so I was behind. UNM has a good beach team, so hopefully I can catch on fast and help them out. We’ll see.”