New Mexico opened up the Lobo Classic with a bang on Thursday night, defeating Arkansas 3-1 behind senior Julia Warren’s career mark at WisePies Arena.
Head coach Jeff Nelson said going into the match that he wanted to see some major production from his senior pin hitters, and all three tallied double-digit kills on the night.
Though senior Devanne Sours was the only Lobo to post a double-double (10 kills and 11 digs), Warren produced eight additional digs, giving her over 1,000 in her career as a Lobo.
Cassie House was also a force to be reckoned with, pacing her squad with 11 kills on the night. She was also helpful on the defensive side of things, collecting seven digs of her own off the hardwood.
Though UNM was not able to produce as many kills as Arkansas (49-39), the team did limit the amount of errors and out-blocked the Razorbacks 11-6.
Set one started out swimmingly for New Mexico (6-2), cruising to a 25-12 route in the first game.
However, Arkansas made necessary adjustments for the second set, taking advantage of UNM’s too relaxed defense. The Razorbacks hit a colossal .394 while holding the Lobos to just .094 hitting.
That was the only game in which the Razorbacks (1-6) were able to hold New Mexico under a .250 percentage.
The Lobos came out a bit sluggish after the intermission and could never really get into a groove until the late stages of the third set when they finally began to claw their way back. Trailing 20-16, New Mexico dominated the ending with nine unanswered points to come out on top 25-20.
UNM’s momentum carried into the fourth and final set, as the Lobos jumped out to a commanding 11-5 lead and never looked back.
The Lobos took the set and the match by a 25-17 final.
Up next in the Lobo Classic is a rare midseason exhibition at WisePies Arena, where Montreal has come to pay a visit. Number 1 Nebraska took down the Carabins 3-0 in the first contest of the day. UNM will do battle against Montreal on Friday night, followed by the Huskers on Saturday.
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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.
