Lobos loaded with veteran talent from NM
Volleyball squad to face Lobo alumni team tonight at Johnson Center
Home-court advantage might mean a little bit more to the University of New Mexico volleyball team this season.
For seven players on the roster, New Mexico truly is home.
The Lobos, who will host their alumni match tonight at Johnson Center, have featured a fair amount of homegrown talent during Jeff Nelson’s nine seasons as coach. The alumni team that lines up across the net from UNM’s current squad tonight will include local players Jeanne Fairchild, Gayle Tripp, Jordan Russell and Ashley Newman.
But none of Nelson’s previous teams has leaned as heavily on New Mexicans as UNM figures to do in 2016. At least four are expected to start when the Lobos host Abilene Christian and Arizona State on Friday, and two of the remaining three will almost certainly play a lot.
“It’s the deepest, highest-level group of New Mexico kids we’ve had,” Nelson said. “Three of them are seniors, and they’re all very motivated to win. They’re providing us with great leadership.”
Senior outside hitters Cassie House (Cleveland High School), Devanne Sours (Tatum) and Julia Warren (La Cueva) have been regulars in UNM’s lineup for three seasons. Junior defensive specialist Maddie Mayfield (La Cueva)
and sophomore DS/libero Mercedes Pacheco (St. Pius) have seen considerable playing time for the Lobos, as well.
This year they’ll be joined by sophomore middle blocker Victoria Spragg (Belen) and freshman MB Jane Cisar (Volcano Vista).
Spragg played sparingly as a freshman in 2014 and missed all of last season recovering from thumb surgery. The tallest Lobo (6-foot5) is ready to make up for lost time, however, and will join House, Sours and Warren in the starting lineup. She hopes to help send the three New Mexican seniors out on a high note.
“I played with Julia, Cassie, Devanne and Maddie in club ball,” Sours said, “so we’ve been together a long time. I think it’s good we have so many local players this year because we have home support and we kind of have more to fight for. There might be a little bit of pressure but it’s good pressure. We just need to step up.”
Pacheco said she doesn’t feel pressure seeing many familiar faces at home matches, but there is an extra feeling of motivation.
“Our friends and families have been watching us for years,” she said with a smile. “You never want them to think you peaked in high school.
“But honestly, I think it’s fun knowing those people are here rooting for us. Having so many New Mexico players this year just shows how volleyball around the state has progressed.”
If the seven players on UNM’s roster aren’t proof enough, New Mexico State has five in-state players this season, as well. Sophomore OH Tatyana Battle (Cibola) and sophomore setter Brianna Ainsworth (Cleveland) are starters and were named this week to the Preseason AllWestern Athletic Conference team. The Aggies added freshmen outside hitters Brigette Lowe (Eldorado), Megan Mattie (Silver) and DS Briana Bustillos (Gadsden) this season, as well.
“Between us and New Mexico State there may be more (in-state players) than ever,” Nelson said, “and the unusual part is that a lot of them are big, strong net players. It’s kind of exciting to see that.”
Nelson laughed when asked about signing local players to boost attendance.
“It doesn’t hurt,” he said, “but we’ll rely on these players for a lot more than that. It is nice for the whole team to have their families and friends supporting us. I hope they’ll have a lot to cheer about this season.” TICKETS: Single-match tickets went on sale Friday at the Lobo Ticket Office at the Pit. Discounted tickets ($3 apiece) are available for groups of 10 or more for marquee matches against Arizona State, Arkansas and Nebraska. Other general admission tickets are $5.