Recruiting class is all about power
Lobos add four players, including three hitters
Could some international firepower be the missing ingredient for UNM volleyball?
Coach Jeff Nelson can’t wait to find out.
Nelson’s Lobos added two international net players to their roster Wednesday to headline the program’s 2019 recruiting class. New Mexico added four players overall and Nelson said there was one primary goal in mind.
“We focused on power arms,” he said, “and we definitely got some. As far as hitting goes, I’d say this class is our best ever. These players have competed at a high level. They’re going to be exciting for fans to watch.”
UNM’s three hitting additions come from Mexico, Sweden and the United States. They are: Uxue Guereca, a 5-foot-9 rightside hitter from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Fanny Skogsford, a 6-4 middle blocker from Reftele, Sweden; and Kaitlynn Biassou, a 5-9 left-side hitter from Reno, Nev. All three will be freshmen next season.
Guereca brings a particularly impressive résumé to the Lobos, having competed for Mexico’s national teams since she was 15. She excelled at every level, setting a points-scoring record at the U18 World Championships in 2017 and was the top scorer at the U23 Women’s PanAmerican Cup this year. Guereca also competed for Mexico at the 2018 World Championships in Japan.
“Uxue can really elevate and she hammers the ball,” Nelson said. “She’s very dynamic and she’s played in both the Junior World Championships and the women’s world championships as a 17-year-old. We’re thrilled to get her.”
Skogsford, another 17-year-old, also brings a wealth of international experience. She played for the U18 and U20 Swedish National Teams and helped the latter squad win a Northern European Volleyball Association championship earlier this year.
Skogsford also helps fill a need as UNM is graduating starting middles Victoria Spragg and Mariessa Carrasco this season.
“Fanny is a great fit for us,” Nelson said. “Her size, length and big hands will help us defensively and she’s big hitter, too.”
Biassou does not have an international background but she does share Guereca’s size and athletic ability, Nelson said. Biassou was a first-team All-State selection in volleyball and basketball at Reno High School and was named Nevada’s Volleyball Player of the Year.
“Big jumper with a bigtime arm swing,” Nelson said.
UNM also is adding a defensive specialist for next season, though she’ll start her career as a walk-on. Alena Moldan, a 5-7 libero from Lakesville South High School in Minneapolis, announced her commitment via social media. She was recently named to the Minneapolis all-metro and Minnesota all-statetournament teams and averaged 4.8 digs per set, according to volleymob. com.
NCAA rules prohibit coaches from commenting on potential walk-ons until they begin attending college classes.
COMING UP: UNM (14-14, 8-8 Mountain West) opens its final road trip of the season today at Wyoming (18-10, 10-6) at 6:30 p.m. The Lobos visit first-place Colorado State (22-6, 14-2) on Saturday.
NMSU: The Aggies (20-7, 10-4 WAC) host conference co-leader Kansas City (20-8, 11-3) in a key match today at 6 p.m. NMSU is in third place behind UMKC and UT Rio Grande Valley and is playing for position in next week’s WAC tournament in Bakersfield, Calif.
The Aggies close out the regular season at home against Chicago State (9-22, 3-11) on Saturday.