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The arrival of a Broadway musical to campus has displaced the UNM volleyball team for three home matches.
The volleyball team will play three of its next four home matches at The Pit instead of its regular venue, the Johnson Center. Concerns about parking availability during performances of “The Lion King” led to the venue change.
The first volleyball match at The Pit will be played Thursday night. The first serve against Boise State is 7 p.m.
The team will return to the Johnson Center on Saturday for a match at noon against Air Force before returning to The Pit on Oct. 23 against New Mexico State University and Oct. 25 against University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Saturday’s noon start time does not conflict with the two scheduled showings of the musical.
“The Lion King” opened Tuesday night at Popejoy Hall and will run through Oct. 28.
“I am very excited about playing in The Pit,” UNM senior setter Jordan Russell said. “It’s a great opportunity and something our team will get to experience for the first time together. I’m excited to see all of the fans.”
UNM volleyball head coach Jeff Nelson said ticket windows at the northeast corner of The Pit will be open for ticket sales and that fans can access the building from that side of the arena. He said parking will be available at The Pit and in the west lot at University Stadium.
The volleyball team began practicing at The Pit on Tuesday, Nelson said.
The Pit, which is usually used as a basketball arena, poses challenges to volleyball players. Because volleyballs are lightweight, circulation systems in venues can alter the ball’s path on serves and passes. Depth perception is also an issue.
UNM is 20-26 in volleyball matches at The Pit.
“We’re looking forward to it, though,” Nelson said. “I think it will be a good atmosphere. We’ve got all the things we normally have. I think it will be a lot of fun. We’ll see what happens.”
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Russell said the Lobos are used to playing in a variety of venues, so she is not worried about the challenges The Pit may pose.
“We will get comfortable by practicing there this week, so I’m sure it will be fine,” she said. “The one difference might be having the fans farther away from the court, but that just gives them a chance to be louder.”
