Young Lobos mix hard work with fun
Coach Nelson says this group has brought a good energy
The high point of a rigorous first week of practice may have come Wednesday afternoon when University of New Mexico volleyball players lined up for judging. Crazy sock judging, that is.
The Lobos donned eye-catching footwear for a dose of fun after enduring five practices in two days — three sessions Tuesday, two more Wednesday. Coaches and visitors to practice No. 5 gathered to cast their votes for the most spectacular stockings.
The winner? Junior Mariessa Carrasco grabbed top honors with hosiery featuring various pictures of Chinese food entrees.
“Always loved Chinese food,” Carrasco said with a winning smile.
Lobo coach Jeff Nelson hopes Wednesday’s agenda proves typical in 2017 — lots of hard work followed by a little bit of fun. It seems a fitting approach for a talented but exceptionally young UNM squad.
There are only seven returning players on the Lobos’ 2017 roster along with nine first-year players, including eight true freshmen. One of the returnees is redshirt freshman J’Kaylee Clark, who played in only six matches before a knee injury ended her 2016 season. Youthful may be an understatement. But what UNM lacks in experience it makes up for with enthusiasm.
“Really good energy in the gym,” Nelson said. “It’s very fresh and actually kind of fun.”
As one might imagine, there is a learning curve facing the Lobos. Libero Ashley Kelsey — the lone senior on the squad — pulled her teammates aside for some critical instruction midway through Wednesday’s late practice. But Kelsey’s not buying the idea of a rebuilding season at Johnson Center.
“This group is special,” she said. “The new players are super eager, they ask a lot of questions and really want this program to take off. They’re fearless, too. These girls came here ready to get after it.”
Nelson agreed. In fact, he said this year’s squad may be ahead of 2016’s veteran team in some respects.
“Ball-handling and passing are definitely better,” he said. “I think we’re deeper in the middle, too, and our blocking will be better. We’re going to be able to extend plays and, hopefully, wear some people down with our defense.”
On the other hand, UNM must replace much of its offensive punch. Outside hitters Cassie House, Devanne Sours, Julia Warren and Marissa Doran exhausted their eligibility in 2016.
But if August practices are any indication, the 2017 Lobos have some capable replacements. Sophomore Lauren Twitty and freshman Hailey Rubino hammered numerous balls through the defense Wednesday, while junior transfer Carly Beddingfield and high-flying freshman Yasmin Tan showed an ability to hit over the top of defensive blocks.
“There’s super-high intensity out here, which I like,” said Beddingfield, a Bosque School alum who played at Long Beach State for the past two seasons before transferring to UNM. “It’s kind of an allnew team and everyone’s trying to make their mark, but I don’t think we have a lot of weaknesses. It’s been really great so far.”
The biggest question mark facing UNM is at setter, where junior Carson Heilborn is returning from an ACL tear suffered in early November. Lisé Rugland, who handled the setting after Heilborn’s injury, has since graduated, leaving freshman Sarah Lobo as the team’s second setter.
Heilborn was sporting a knee brace Wednesday but practiced fully and appeared to be moving well. Nelson does not want to overextend Heilborn in the preseason but believes she’ll be ready for UNM’s season-opening tournament Aug. 25-26 at Iowa State.
If Heilborn is ready to go, Nelson said just one or two starting positions remain to be determined.
“That’s actually pretty good for week one,” Nelson said. “Obviously, we’ll have some kids learning on the f ly early in the season, but I like what I’m seeing. The returnees are setting a high standard and the new players are doing a nice job filling their roles. Could be a fun year.”