Staff report
The UNM volleyball team lost two matches in Johnson Arena over the weekend to conference foes, 22nd-ranked, University of Utah and Brigham Young University.
The losses drop the Lobos to 7-16 overall and 2-8 in MWC play.
Utah 3, UNM 1
The Lobos dropped the opening game to the Utes 30-19 but roared back in the second game, taking Utah to extra points and prevailing 32-30. In the second game, UNM out-hit the Utes, scoring 16 kills to Utah's 13.
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The Utes took the match with their serving, hitting 14 service aces to UNM's two. Utah (18-6, 8-3) won games three and four 30-23 and 30-25 to take their fifth straight win.
The Lobos were led by junior outside hitter Anna Reines, who had a team-high 17 kills, and senior hitter Vanessa Shields, who had 13 kills.
Senior Blaire Burns had a successful return to her usual libero position, scoring a match-high 12 digs. Sophomore setter Monica Meihack finished with a career-high five block assists.
BYU 3, UNM 0
The Cougars overcame two key injuries to defeat the Lobos in three straight games, 30-25, 30-19 and 30-22.
The Cougars had 18 kills in the first game and 20 in the decisive third game. UNM managed only seven kills in the second game and had 13 service errors. BYU (10-14, 5-5) out blocked the Lobos 12 to three and held a 52-35 kills advantage.
The Lobos were led by senior Staci Masten, who had eight kills and five defensive digs. Freshman Chelsea Sondrup had six kills. Sophomore Cayse Kaveny and junior Anna Reines added five.
UNM finishes the road portion of MWC play next weekend with matches at second-place Colorado State University Friday and the University of Wyoming Saturday.
Around the MWC: San Diego State University (18-10, 9-2) took sole possession of first place by beating Colorado State 3-0 Saturday night. The Rams (16-8, 8-2) defeated the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (8-6, 4-7) Friday.
The Aztecs defeated Wyoming 3-0 Friday night. The Cowgirls (18-8, 3-7), who fell to the Rebels 3-0 Saturday, are currently in sixth place. UNLV holds fifth place.
The Air Force Academy (8-17, 2-8), which lost to 3-0 to Utah Friday and 3-1 to BYU Saturday, is now tied for seventh with UNM.
