Aztecs’ big rally spoils UNM’s senior day plans

Senior day tends to be bittersweet, but Saturday’s was downright sour for the University of New Mexico volleyball team.

Visiting San Diego State spoiled the celebration for UNM and its four seniors, rallying from a two-set deficit to hand the Lobos a bitter five-set loss. The set scores were 17-25, 23-25, 25-21, 26-24 and 15-8.

Falling to the Aztecs (9-20, 7-9 Mountain West) was not exactly a new experience for the Lobos (14-14, 8-8). SDSU won both meetings this season and has given UNM fits in recent years, coming from behind to win on numerous occasions.

Still, this one hurt. New Mexico controlled the first two sets and scored three straight points to lead 24-22 in set four. But with fans on their feet anticipating match point, the Lobos failed to deliver.

Sabrina Bianco’s service error was followed by an Aztecs block to tie the set at 24. Lauren Twitty’s hitting error then put SDSU up 25-24, and a Deja Harris kill ended the set and evened the match. With momentum on their side, the Aztecs dominated set five.

The critical errors were part of a recent trend, UNM coach Jeff Nelson said.

“You can’t win when you make as many mistakes as we do,” Nelson said. “The sad part is we’re in every match. We make the plays to put ourselves in position but we can’t make them when it matters. It’s devastating.”

SDSU’s Ashlynn Dunbar (19 kills) and Harris (15 kills, eight blocks) had their way at the net over the final three sets. Lauren Twitty had 19 kills and Tai Bierria finished with 10 for UNM, but the Lobos’ two left-side hitters also combined for 19 hitting errors.

Libero Mercedes Pacheco had the most productive day among UNM’s four seniors, collecting a matchhigh 26 digs. Victoria Spragg had eight kills and five blocks, Mariessa Carrasco managed seven kills and Carly Beddingfield, returning from injury, had four kills.

NMSU: In Las Cruces, Savannah Davison had 14 kills and Tatyanna Battle added 13 as the Aggies (20-7, 10-4 WAC) took a 3-1 win over California Baptist (19-10, 9-7). The set scores were 25-16, 11-25, 25-8 and 25-20.

Davison (12 digs) and Battle (20) posted double-doubles as NMSU reached the 20-win mark for the 15th time in its last 17 seasons.