A rigorous 2016 schedule for UNM's volleyball squad begins on Saturday with an annual alumnae game, the program's only exhibition match of the season.
Former players representing a myriad of eras of the program will partake in the preseason affair, as the Lobos get ready to host their first tournament of the year beginning on August 28.
After facing Abilene Christian University in the first showing of the season next Friday, the Lobos will jump right into the thick of things with Arizona State in UNM’s opening day double-header.
“Right away on the first Friday night, we have Arizona State and they were as high as fourth in the rankings last year,” head coach Jeff Nelson said.
Getting the win will be a tough challenge, but the Sun Devils will not be the only major test the Lobos will face in the grueling season before conference play begins.
“We’re throwing ourselves in the fire right away,” Nelson said. “But we’re going to have three or four seniors on the court and we’re going to expect them to do well.”
Nelson’s squad will then hit the road to participate in the USF Tournament the following weekend and return to face another colossal test in Nebraska, the defending national champions.
“With the Nebraska match, we pursued that,” Nelson said. “They have almost their whole group returning, plus they had two first team All-Americans transfer there.”
Taking on the Huskers will provide ample opportunity for the Lobos to see one of the best teams in the nation. While a win would certainly be an ideal scenario for New Mexico, the squad is viewing the game as a way to prepare for the rest of the season.
“We will definitely be ready by the time conference comes around because we won’t see another block like Nebraska all year,” Nelson said.
For the past six years, Colorado State has owned at least a portion of the regular season title, and has proven to be a thorn in UNM’s side. The Lobos have not won a match against the Rams since September 2012.
The Lobos will be gearing up for the first of two matches against Colorado State, beginning in Albuquerque on Oct. 6.
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“I really think it will come down to two or three teams at the end and I believe we’ll be in that mix,” Nelson said. “I think this is the best shot that we’ve ever had at winning this conference and we’ve got to go out and go for it.”
Though Nelson said he has high hopes for the season, in the preseason poll, the writers picked UNM to finish fourth in the Mountain West after losing three seniors last season. The prediction is exactly where UNM finished last season.
CSU was picked to defend the national title, again.
As far as UNM's only preseason contest, the Lobos likely won’t be able to make any decisions on certain positions that have question marks, but it will provide the fans a look at the squad for the first time in the 2016 season.
Opening serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
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.
