Lobo volleyball season ends with big win
It would have been easy to throw in the towel. With only seven semi-healthy players in uniform, the University of New Mexico volleyball team was on the ropes Saturday at the Pit. Already down 2 sets to 1, the Lobos trailed visiting Utah State 20-10 in the fourth and their abbreviated spring season appeared to be all but over.
UNM had a different ending in mind.
Kaitlynn Biassou racked up a career-best 25 kills and the Lobos (4-10) rallied for a dramatic five-set (5-21, 18-25, 15-25, 26-24 and 15-11) win over the 5-10 Aggies in their spring finale.
As it turned out, UNM coach Jon Newman-Gonchar needed the aforementioned towel after a soggy postgame celebration in the fan-free arena.
“That was a special moment,” Newman-Gonchar said. “If these players want to throw water on their coach after a match like that, so be it. With everything they’ve gone through this year, I’m thrilled they got to enjoy that kind of finish.”
Biassou played the starring role, contributing 11 total digs and four straight sizzling serves as the Lobos finished set five with a 5-0 run. But she got plenty of help from a makeshift UNM lineup that included four freshmen and players out of their normal positions. UNM started 5-foot-7 Alena Moldan and 5-9 Los Lunas High alum Hayley Torres as middle blockers against USU’s taller front line.
■ In Orem, Utah, host Utah
Valley swept New Mexico State 25-21, 25-22, 25-23 in Saturday’s WAC title match on its home court. Saturday’s loss likely ends a 16-2 season for the Aggies, who like the Lobos played away from home nearly the entire way because of pandemic-related restrictions. The NCAA Tournament field is to be announced Sunday.
SOFTBALL: In Fresno, Calif., host Fresno State pitcher no-hit the Lobos for the second time in as many days in a 14-0, fiveinning decision. UNM (2-26) was outscored 29-1 in the three-game set. It was at least the fifth time this season the Lobos have been no-hit.
■ In Las Cruces, Matalasi FaapitoCQ and Chloe Rivas combined on a four-hitter as New Mexico State (18-16) romped past 15-18 Grand Canyon 8-1 in the rubber match of a three-game set.
SOCCER: In Seattle, New Mexico State (4-11-1) fell 3-2 to host Seattle University (10-4-2) at Championship Field..
BASEBALL: In San Diego, New Mexico (8-14, 6-9 Mountain West) was no match for host San Diego State (16-6, 11-4), which won 15-0 in seven innings to conclude a three-game series sweep. SDSU knocked out Lobo starter Tristan Lively with one out in the second inning and outhit the Lobos 15-6.
■ In Eugene, Ore., pitchers Cullen Kaf ka and Kolby Somers combined to hold New Mexico State (10-14) to three hits in a 2-1 win by No. 19 Oregon (16-6) to begin a doubleheader. The Ducks won the nightcap 6-1.
TENNIS: In Reno, Nevada, the UNM men (4-8, 2-0) swept Nevada 4-0 for their 11th straight Mountain West Conference win; the Lobo women lost 4-2 to Wyoming in Colorado Springs.