New Mexico has joined the nation’s elite, jumping in among the nation’s top tiered schools, according to DiG magazine, the official publication for beach volleyball.
The weekly poll releases the top 20 programs in the nation, though the NCAA only ranks the top-10 schools.
“I think it’s outstanding. I’m really happy for the girls, they’ve worked hard,” head coach Jeff Nelson said. “I think we’re where we are because they’ve worked hard and played well.”
The head coach said jumping among the nation’s top-25 has also improved the desirability for players to take part in a new program.
"It’s great for the program in terms of visibility,” Nelson said. “This only being the second year, visibility has been a goal. I think a lot of people don’t even know we have a program.”
New Mexico is coming off a 2-1 weekend at the Wildcat Spring Challenge, only falling to No. 6 Arizona. UNM (12-4) remains unscathed against ranked opponents, but each of the team’s four losses have come against the NCAA’s top 10 schools.
“I think we’ve got to really look at setting our sights higher, making our measuring sticks higher so that we can then start knocking off a top 10 program and getting ourselves in that place,” Nelson said. “I don’t think we’re far off from that place, either.”
Nelson attributes a lot of his squad’s success to the work ethic of his players. He said each of his pairs have showcased their athleticism and desire to continue to improve with each practice, each game and each tournament.
“We haven’t had a lot of disappointments since we’ve started this,” Nelson said. “I think it speaks a lot to their character. It hasn’t been easy.”
One of the things Nelson said has been difficult after playing four consecutive weekends has been trying to find down time for his squad. Due to the lack of funds in UNM’s newest collegiate sport, the Lobos have had to drive to each tournament since the season began on March 3.
Since that time, the Lobos have driven to Arizona three times, one of those trips extending into California, and have had just one tournament at home.
In each road trip, the Lobos have participated in at least three matches across two days, before jumping back on the road to get back to the University.
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“I wouldn’t say it’s a weekend off, but it’s a weekend off of matches,” Nelson said. “I think everyone needed it right now. We’re tired, we’ve had a couple of kids sick the past two weeks, it’ll be really nice to just have the time off and regroup.”
For the first time in a month, the Lobos will have a weekend without competition. UNM will return to play on April 8, when the team will play four matches, one in Sacramento and one in Stockton, California.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
